Baby Decor Coming Together

I got a lot accomplished this weekend when it comes to the decor in Baby Girl S's nursery!

Remember my last post talking about all my ideas, especially the ballet theme?

Well, after talking with my Mom she has offered to make the curtains and bed skirt for the room!!

I'm so EXCITED!!

Knowing that, I made a date with my good friend Karen to hit up Mary Jo's fabric Saturday morning.

I was on the hunt for that ballerina fabric I had seen at Bellini and guess what?

They had it!!

EXCEPT

It was in a different color scheme.

Yellow and oranges instead of purple and green.

UGH..

Not a fan..

As much as I really liked the fabric I was a little worried about it being too busy in the baby's room.

I decided to move on and I'm glad I did after I saw this bedding in it at another local baby store in town.

It's cute, just too busy for me.

So, instead I found something a little more versatile!

Here's where I have landed!

This paisley print and pink gingham(and green, it's just not pictured).

The curtains will be double sided with the main fabric being the paisley.

The ribbons will be used as accents for ties and elsewhere in the room.

I'm in LOVE!!

(No worries, I'm still planning on using ballet themed accents in the room, just not on the fabric.)

There are all sorts of options to really give the curtains a custom look.

My Mom will be here in a week and a 1/2 and we'll go over and buy all the fabric then.

After leaving Mary Jo's we headed over to Hobby Lobby where they had all their lamps 50% off.

I almost died!

How cute does all of this look together?

Maybe I'm biased but I think it's adorable.

What is even better about the fabrics and lamp?

Brad won't have to repaint the room!!

I think the blue/grey looks great with everything!

Don't you?

I was originally thinking a pale green but why paint if we don't have too?

A little bit of a closer look.

We're also planning on putting a glider in the baby's room I want this in a pale green with blue piping.

Such a fun day!!

But, I can't end this post without sharing the BARGAIN of the weekend!!!!

Karen and I stopped into the Goodwill store just to see what was in there and I spotted this Moses basket for $8.99.

The bedding needs to be washed and/or replaced but for $8.99 I grabbed it!

And, guess what?

I noticed later on in the day a local baby store these baskets sell for $125!!

Who knew? 

Not me, because I had not priced them out.

All in all, I can't wait to see how the baby's room all comes together.

I'll be updating you on here so stay tuned!!

Ralph Lauren Baby Girl

The week after it was revealed that we are having a girl we received a giant box in the mail from my bestie Beth.

I freaked when I opened it!

OMG!

A ton of gorgeous Ralph Lauren boxes!

I immediately grabbed my phone to document the moment.

 Each box included a special note for Baby Girl Stephens from Miss Beth.

The first box, 'Summertime Cutie' had the most precious pink and white striped outfit for next Summer.

 The second box, little anchor shorts, with the card reading for America's Cup 2013.

As you may know, Ralph Lauren designed the clothes for the US Olympic Team, and in case you're interested there is an an entire baby collection that coincides available for purchase.

 The 3rd box included a note that read, 'Baby's first Polo shirt'.

Don't you just love the Ralph Lauren Layette collection?

 I wasn't done yet!!!

The 4th box included a pink and green bubble outfit for Baby Girl S!!

Totally adorable!

 And the 5th and final box included stripes for her to sport next Spring/Summer.

As you can imagine, the big box made for an exciting night in our house!!

All of these beautiful little outfits are packed away for now but I can't wait to get her closet put together and organized.

More on baby decor in my next post!!

Thanks again to Beth for all these fun outfits!!!

21-Weeks and Update on Mystery Pain

I feel like all I do on here is update you guys on my pregnancy.

I'm going to try my best in the coming weeks to find something else to talk about.

Promise!

But for today pregnancy it is.

I'm 21-weeks today and believe it or not I'm still hitting the gym.

(hence the photo above)

In my last post I talked about the terrible pain I have been experiencing.

Well, it was back last night and I had not even eaten anything bad.

I was DOUBLED over for hours, the pain hitting me at intermittent times.

It's almost like a cramp.

It comes...then it lets go...then a minute later it's back.

Each time you're in the fetal position.

Finally it let up and I was so worn out and exhausted I could barely sleep.

Today I got in to have an ultrasound and get the results of my blood work.

I was pretty convinced this pain around my right rib bone was gallbladder related but it's NOT!

In fact, they said my gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas and liver all look remarkable.

I'm not going to lie.

I was relieved but at the same time I wanted to cry.

What the heck is going on???!!!!

The doctor said it's really too early for it to be me stretching to make room for the baby, but part of me thinks that is what it has to be.

In fact, I talked to my cousin tonight and she said her Mom had the same thing happen around the same point in her first pregnancy.

Once, she popped and the muscles popped the pain was gone.

LORD, I sure hope so!!

It isn't all the time.

It's hit or miss.

Well, that's all I really have for tonight.

I am going to continue to eat low-fat just in case it is something gastro related.

Have any of you experienced this type of thing while being pregnant?

Weekend...

I'm tired...

Not sure exactly why but I think it simply has something to do with a growing baby inside of my tummy.

I've spent a good part of this Sunday snoozing.

============

Our weekend was low-key.

It started with a big storm here in Charlotte Friday night that even caused part of SouthPark Mall here in town to collapse.

I'm just read that it won't fully reopen until Tuesday.

We were originally going to do restaurant week with some friends, but after hearing the reservation was set for 9:30pm we opted out.

Instead, we dined at Harper's and enjoy their 3 for $20 menu.

Not a bad deal!

I ended my meal with a brownie Ala mode. It's always been one of my favorites.

But....

A couple of hours later I was it TERRIBLE pain.

Pain right under my right rib bones.

I experienced this a couple of other times this week, but not this bad.

When I mentioned it to the doctor earlier in the week he said that if it correlates to when I eat it could be my gallbladder.

I guess, it's common for pregnant women to get gallstones because of the increased level of estrogen?

Anyway, we called the doctor Friday night and instead of going to the ER they told me to eat low fat and bland foods for the rest of the weekend and to come in on Monday.

So, low fat it is and there's been no pain.

I started thinking about it, and the two other times I had experienced that pain is when we had gone out to eat and I ordered dessert.

Most of the time, we do eat healthy and low fat so maybe that's why I haven't noticed it otherwise?

I guess we'll see what they say tomorrow.

Stay tuned..

As for Saturday, we decided to head to the lake.

The weather looked yucky but we decided to invite our neighbors LuLu, from Looks Like LuLu, and her husband Keith and take a chance.

It actually turned out to be a nice day!

Nothing too wild and crazy just a low-key day of boat riding and catching some rays.

That evening the rain started in again but nothing major.

The boys cooked dinner and LuLu set up a little tablescape for us.

 They feasted on ribs while I stayed with a low-fat menu and dined on grilled chicken.

 We sat around talking and chilling out.

And, our dogs did the same.

(Well, not talking but searching for crumbs)

I tried to get a picture of the two of them together but it didn't quite work out!

They were looking up for treats which is why they look so strange.

HA!!

Well, I'll sign off for tonight to enjoy a little TV time.

I think I'm the only one on the planet who isn't going to watch the finale of the Bachelorette.

Sorry, I just can't get into it. The guys are just DUMB!!

CIAO for now!!

20-Weeks Pregnant and Updates

I'm 20-weeks pregnant today with a little baby girl!

Honestly, it sounds corny but sometimes it's really hard to believe the whole thing is actually happening.

It's like a dream come true!

I'm feeling good despite a little bit of sleep issues here and there but overall doing good.

I went in today and learned that I gained 4-pounds last month.

Not bad considering all the books say you're suppose to gain a pound a week.

I think that puts me at 15-total pounds gained.

I'm keeping up with my 5-days of power walking each week but it is getting harder.

 I don't move as fast as I use to but keep telling myself that as long as I am doing something active than it's better than doing nothing.

Right??

So, here are my crappy bump pictures.

From the front.

 And, the side shot.

Buddy is in the back wondering, WTF?

HAHA!

Also, my bump was featured on the HoneyPie Archives this week.

Check out the cute bump post by clicking here.

Some days I look bigger than others.

In more baby preparedness news...

We bought a new car!

We traded in my JEEP Liberty for a Honda Pilot.

A ton of more room for Baby S and a 3rd row seat.

I love it so far!

I drove Honda's for 15-years until the JEEP so I'm glad to be back in one.

I also registered over the weekend with the help of my awesome SIL, Robyn.

Thank goodness she went with me because there are a lot of choices and half of the items I'm not sure if I really need or not.

I saw all sorts of cute girly stuff and it makes me even more excited!

Everyone laughs and says 'really?' when I tell them that I never pictured being a Mom to a girl.

Not sure why since I am a girly girl?

The only thing I can think of is because I did all the girly things I ever wanted to do and I don't wish to live through my child??

Even so, I'm into it now!

I went bat-sh--t crazy over this bedding a Pottery Barn Kids this weekend.

Then I realized it's on back order and my Mom talked me off the ledge saying that everyone under the sun will have it and that there are other things out there.

So, I moved on -- or -- might I say -- back -- to wanting something custom made.

 I found these fabric swatches at Bellini here in Charlotte today.

I flipped out over the ballerinas!

A lot of you may not know it but I danced for years and years and even taught for a while in high school.

My Mom saved my first ever ballet costume/tutu and shoes and had planned to put them in a shadow box one day.

Well, guess what??

That one day is here!

I want incorporate it into the nursery along with other dance/ballet pieces.

I hope to use some of these fabrics or some similar to them to have curtains and a bed skirt made.

I figure I can buy gingham sheets anywhere.

Not doing bumpers though.

Thoughts?

I'm trying to convince my Mom to start sewing again! She was so good at it!

And, how about this lamp??

Love it but not the $450 price tag!

I love the ballet theme and I think it will work for Baby S up until she's halfway through elementary school.

So many decisions and fun things to get together!

I'm glad I have a few more months!

I'll try and post more in the coming weeks!

Yummy Tomatoes!!

It's Summer tomato season and I'm always looking for different recipes that offer alternative ways in cooking them.

While in California this past week, my friend Christina introduced me to one of the best recipes yet!

Who remembers the movie Under the Tuscan Sun with Diane Lane?

Well, this recipe comes from a cookbook written by the author who wrote the book that was eventually turned into that screenplay.

It's Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun Cookbook.

The recipe is Roasted Tomato.

It's easy too!

*Chop up 60 or so Cherry tomatoes or 25 medium tomatoes

* 1/2 cup of olive oil

* 3 tbs of minced fresh rosemary

* 3 tbs of fresh oregano

* 3 tbs of fresh thyme leaves

* 5 garlic cloves

 * Mix all together in a bowl

 * Spread onto a baking pan and cook at 200-degrees for 2 hours.

It's a slow roast

Sounds too easy but let me tell you, they're yummy!

You can serve with crostini or bruschette for an appetizer.

I personally, could eat this for an entire meal!

The recipe also suggest throwing into a risotto.

Tonight, we're going to put it over grilled chicken.

The best part is?

Leftover tomatoes can be packed into jars, topped with olive oil and stored in the fridge for a week!

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

(just so you know though, I went to buy a Mason jar last night and didn't realize you couldn't just buy one, but instead you have to buy an entire case. I just put mine in a Tupperware container.)

Gallery Wall - Help Needed!

I can't believe it is mid-July and one of the big things I had on my 2012 list of things to get done is yet to be completed.

Create a gallery wall up our stairwell, and include my ginormous bridal portrait along with other picture frames full of family photos.

Here's some inspiration I found on Pinterest.

via

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I know that many of you have done these in your home.
Why am I so intimidated???
I need help!
Here's what I'm working with.

 That big wall at the top of the staircase is where I want to put my bridal picture.
It's in a silverish/black frame.
Would it be appropriate to do the other wall in black and silverish/black frames as well?
I've heard it looks better to stick to black and white pictures but the bridal picture is in color.
Thoughts, suggestions?

 I just don't want it to look tacky or cluttered.
Anyone want to come help me?
I even bought one of these kits back in January but have yet to do a thing with it.

San Diego Trip Mega-Post

After returning home from the 4th of July, I jet-setted across the country to San Diego for my friend Christina's bridal shower.

I decided to fit the whole weekend into one post so hold on, it's a mega one full of pictures!

Christina and her fiancee' live in the sleepy beach town of Cardiff-by-the-Sea.

Truly cute as can be!

 The town is home to one of the San Diego's few campgrounds on the beach.

It was still pretty full since the holiday weekend was still in effect.

 Every morning we ventured down the street from their condo to the beach for a power walk.

Christina and her fiancee' Jeff were such GREAT hosts!

 It was a a cool 64-degrees for our morning walks!

Nice, compared to the triple digits I hear Charlotte was having at that same time!

 Better than the gym, if you ask me.

 On Saturday afternoon we made our way to San Diego's Balboa Park for lunch at Prado and a museum.

 Cute restaurant in the heart of the park.

I would suggest going if you're in the area.

After lunch Christina had us set up to take in the Titanic Exhibit that is making its way across the country.

I'm such a nerd for stuff like this.

Upon entering they give you a 'boarding pass'.

 On the back it tells you who you are and what your story is.

At the end of the exhibit you can see if you and your family survived.

Believe it or not, all 3 of us did!

The exhibit wasn't as extensive as I expected.

I guess I'm a spoiled by all the DC museums I've been too.

Even so, I would recommend seeing if it comes to your city.

After the park, we drove around for a bit.

Christina's fiancee Jeff gave me the grand tour of La Jolla including a drive through the Bird Rock neighborhood.

SOOOO NICE!

 Me at one of the neighborhood parks.

In some of the pictures from this trip I can really tell I've packed on the pounds.

My prego ta-tas are out of control and I'm almost scared to see what I have gained this next doctor's visit!

Maybe it's all in my head or the way I'm feeling(hormones), but maybe not?

I haven't gotten on a scale in a week or 2.

We will see.

....Moving On.....

Sunday was the bridal shower.

It was in Orange County so we got up and headed that way around lunch time.

Everything was lovely.

And, done in her wedding color of magenta.

 The bridesmaids did a GREAT job!

Monday rolled around and we had plans to meet up with my college sorority sister and fellow blogger Casey, from The Starnes Family, at the Hotel Del Coronado.

 A visit here is always fun and special.

So much history and charm!

We grabbed a place on the sun deck.

 And before too long Casey showed up!

SOO great to see her!

It has literally been since 1998 since we were last together.

She was my inspiration to start this blog.

Of course, 2 of her 3 children were in tow.

Jack Starnes..

 And, Lainey Caroline Starnes.

Both are precious as can be!

Casey was nice enough to bring Baby Stephens her first gift!!

Cute little girly outfits!!

So exciting!!

 Which then prompted me to buy her first hat.

So very fun!!!

In fact, the entire trip was fun!

Great friends, great weather and great scenery!

Thanks to Christina for having me and toting me around!!

Until Next Time!!