This & That: Long Weekend Scenes

The long weekend came at the perfect time - we've been so busy lately, a little time to relax was perfect! We aren't always home for the holiday weekend so it was nice to do some things around here, sleep in each day, etc. 

'Tis the season for grilling - we really wanted to enjoy one more grilling session on our deck so a shrimp broil (prepared from Wegman's!) seemed like a perfect fit.

I kicked things off on Friday by heading out for a day of shopping with my mom - lately shopping's revolved around the house or the baby so it was fun to just hit the sales for ourselves.

I love this dress because it'll fit for most of this summer then again in the future (so comfortable and a great price!).  This coverup I was able to just get my regular size and one of the sales girls recommended this style dress because it's great for a growing bump but also can be worn again next year.

We got some of the big rooms packed up like the kitchen and our bedroom/bathroom and poor Stella is confused as could be.  A quick nap after each session was needed.

The weather ended up being nicer than expected so our first patio meal (Mexican!) was the perfect way to spend a night with family.  A virgin margarita too.

I wouldn't say I've had too many cravings but I've definitely been more interested in donuts than usual.  We made our first ever trip to Krispy Kreme and my goodness we will be back! 

Something I wanted to do this summer was go strawberry picking so while we had an open afternoon we figured it would be a good time to do it! 

Obsessed with these old navy workout shorts - great for pregnant or not.

Memorial Day

Can we all just agree that all weekends should be long weekends?  We've been off since Friday and loved every second - more on the weekend tomorrow because for once lately I wasn't just pregnant napping or packing and remembered to take pictures.  

Yesterday like usual on Memorial Day we all gathered over at my parent's house late afternoon for a traditional BBQ together and some time on the deck - the weather wasn't classic summer like but at least the morning rain cleared out so we were able to be outside.  

We enjoyed drinks (an ice cold coke for me!) before digging into a classic bbq.  

I was in charge of dessert and went with a strawberry shortcake - Derek and I picked the strawberries fresh the day before, my parents picked up the most delicious butter cake and we topped it with whipped cream.  

One day closer to Friday! xx 

Memorial Day Sales

We're ready for summer around here! 

Happy Friday! The weekend is officially here in this house and I can't wait for the extra days off. We'll barbecue to kick off summer, do a little bit more packing and if the weather holds up (was looking iffy but hopefully clear now) do a few other fun things around here.  

Today I'm setting out for some shopping with my mom to get a head start on the weekend sales.  If I'm being honest, I started shopping them earlier this week when they started popping up.  The home sales are too good to pass up, low priced cute baby stuff falls into the must have category and it never hurts to snag some great pieces for yourself too. 

I was aiming to get together my first Friday's Five in a while for today (will get onto that style of post soon!) but last night going to bed early won out so just some of the weekend sales... 

Banana Republic - 40% off with code: brsummer

Gap - up to 50% off everything & extra 20% off your purchase with code: more

JCrew - 30% off with code: sweet 

Lilly Pulitzer - gifts with purchase (cup holder with any purchase, game board bag with $200 spend, beach mat with $500 spend, picnic cooler with $800 spend, boho beach tent with $1500 spend)

Loft - 40% off with code: vacay

Mark & Graham - 15% off $150+, 20% off $200+, 25% off $500+ with code: savemore

Nordstrom - half yearly sale: up to 40% off select items

Old Navy - 50% off tees, tanks, shorts and swim & extra 10% off at checkout

Vineyard Vines - 30% off sale items with code: summer17

And because I've already spent a lot of time picking up some house items already since the sales started , here are some for the home sales... 

Ballard Design - buy more, save more: 20% of $1-$499, 25% off $500+

Pier 1 - 20% off full priced purchase with code: america 

Pottery Barn - 10% off $100+, $15% off $250+, 20% off $500+, 25% off $1,000+ with code: savemore *same sale for Pottery Barn Kids*

More are sure to pop up over the weekend - Happy Shopping... 

Enjoy your weekend! xx 

May House Update

The countdown is on - not too much longer until we are in our new home! Our townhouse is filled with boxes, piles for good will, new packages - it's tough living in the clutter this last little bit but almost there.  The holiday weekend will mark our last weekend of packing, finally!

The final touches have been going on this month and will continue the next few days.  We had a walkthrough yesterday and finally it's looking less construction site and more house like. 

Most recently our deck was put in - we spend so much time out on our current deck, we can't wait to get use out of this one.  The table and chairs to match our couch set was recently on sale so we picked it up to add on. 

More on the outside - we finally have some grass out front, seed in the back and our walkway/driveway are finished up. 

Our appliances have been installed - just waiting for the most important one, the wine fridge - I'll look forward to using that again come this fall! 

Carpet has been installed in the bedrooms and such.  Yes, Stella can be spotted in many of the photos - we bring her a lot in hopes that she'll adjust quicker to realizing it's her new home - The boxes scattered all around our house noticeably confuse her.

Our fireplace has been installed and final touches like adding pillars are finished up.  After foregoing a fireplace in our townhouse we might be most looking forward to this aspect.

Until next time. xx 

April update

March update

February Update

January Update

December Update

November Update

Weekend Scenes

Happy Monday! Low key weekends have been the theme around here this month but luckily the packing is almost done and the month is almost over so we should be out of this phase soon.  We had our first grill night of the season last night (chicken, broccoli salad, potato wedges) and enjoyed some time on the deck.

Packing, boxes everywhere - the chaos continues.

Lazy time in between packing sessions.

Another first for the season, we got out for a little round of tennis.

With low-key weekends - usually revolved around packing, errands or resting from those two activities - a fun date night out was a great way to spend Saturday night.

top: @flauntboutique on IG

Some surprise blooms (along with donuts #cravings) - I love this season.

Have a good week! xx 

House Inspiration: Conservatory

As this month continues, we're in full "moving mode" - packing, setting up deliveries and appointments, deciding what will go where, etc.  Last inspiration I shared, we've already gone in a different direction for that room, ha! but I'm pretty sure this room will stay on track.

Our current house (and new!) is all/will be all neutrals - cream, tan, brown.  Our basement now has some touches of navy and I'm going to continue that more so into the new house in a few rooms - one is the conservatory.  This extra room was fun to plan for...

I knew I wanted navy couches and a free standing bar.  We'll add a few ottomans for other seating and a runner to pull out the navy.  We can use our current bar stools and plants as well as some navy vases we have for decor and build from there.

ottomans - pier one

rug - ballard designs

bar - pottery bar

blue/white jugs - williams sonoma 

Have a good day! xx

Mother's Day

I like to try to do a weekend scenes post once a month or so but we spent a rainy Saturday packing then running all sorts of house errands for hours - to say this mama to be crawled into bed exhausted is an understatement - I spent much of yesterday relaxing to make up for it.  So, a peek at Mother's Day... 

I joked with my mom yesterday that it was her last year of having all the attention before she has to share it with me next year and she opted for just a casual night of apps and cocktails on the deck - worked for me! She and Derek both treated me to a few outfits for our little boy - his collection keeps growing.

We celebrated Mom, gifted her some presents, enjoyed some appetizers and I took out my fre wine while everyone else sipped their cocktails. 

How I was feeling too - ready for a nap! 

I hope all you moms, want to be moms, hoping to soon be moms, etc. had the best day yesterday - I was so touched to have so many friends reach out yesterday even though I'm not quite a Mom yet - even more excited for this next year!

My Lilly Pulitzer top linked here.  Have a good week! xx 

Friday's Picks

Happy Friday! If you're a mom, soon to be mom or celebrating this weekend then Happy Mother's Day! If your wanting to be a mom soon then you're definitely in my thoughts :)

I can't wait to celebrate next year (I did ask Derek if we could maybe throw this clutch in as a pre-Mother's Day gift).  I'm always excited for any change to celebrate my Mom so Sunday will be fun - it's her last year of having the spotlight of the day just for herself - kidding, because of of her I know everything I need to in order to be a great mom.

I've been so busy working on gathering home decor items, baby clothes, nursery decor that I haven't really browsed things for myself in a while.  With summer right around the corner, I could use a couple new accessories.  If you have a smaller foot like me (7.5 and below) then these sandals are 30% off. It's a great time to stock up - I just picked them up in black.

fringe necklace

mar y sol clutch

candle

drop earrings

miller sandal

straw tote

pom straw hat

Have a good weekend! xx 

Pregnancy: Weeks 13-16

The second trimester started off great - Going to bed early but had most of my energy back, the weather was warming up and I was doing better with tolerating foods.  The highlight for sure was making it past the first trimester.

Baby's Size:
I saw an app that compares the size to desserts so that could be fun - Madelyn (13 weeks), Carmel Apple (14 weeks), Cupcake (15 weeks), Beignet (16 weeks)

Gender:
Boy!

Maternity Clothes:
Not yet! I've seen some shorts on great sale so I've picked up some navy/white/jean shorts to be ready. I've been focusing on flowy regular size dresses for now.  As far as currently dressing, just getting use out of everything in my closet while I can - thinking many of my dresses will still fit for a while though.

Miss Anything: 
With the warmer weather and nights on the deck - definitely wine! 

Cravings/Aversions: 
Still hating the idea of steaks, steakhouses (usually my favorite!) and anything that goes along with it. I'm also still iffy on seafood too.  No cravings... yet! However, I did love enjoying my Easter candy and occasional ice cream.

Symptoms/Sleep:
Life is so much better with some more energy back! Headaches a few days a week early on and only nauseous if I'm hungry - my purse is usually filled with snacks.  Sleep is great - most nights sleeping all the way through,  but recently waking up on the early side which I'm not complaining about - even on the weekends.

Exercise:
Back to normal with more energy.  Most days it is a long Stella walk with how nice the weather has been, some days it's off to the gym but I try to do something each day with a day to rest.

Husband:
The best! If I ask for something - him to clean up from dinner, run an errand, etc. he does it without a thought.  He's also so excited for a baby boy and everyone knows it - love!

Week 13:

Seeing our little guy at the genetic testing ultrasound. 

• Dates: April 11th
• Best Moments: The genetic testing ultra sound - our first views were back seven weeks ago so a lot has changed! Hearing the heartbeat again a few days later at my doctor's appointment too. Celebrating Easter and getting excited about making a little Easter basket next year.  Having fun ordering things for the gender reveal party 
• Excited For: A massage! I c-a-n-n-o-t wait.  I was a regular with massages and taking 3+ months off, I literally cannot wait to visit the spa this week.  Also excited to head up to Penn State for the spring game this weekend, our boy will be born right in the midst of football season so I'm excited to pick up some little outfits.

Week 14:

My first massage in months - such a long wait and one of the things I missed the most.

• Dates: April 18th
• Best Moments: Finally a massage - Derek and I had a spa day and I'm looking forward to many more prenatal massages! We picked out some little baby outfits when in State College this weekend so he'll be ready to go on game days this season.  This stage is definitely the best so far to enjoy.
• Excited For: Gender Reveal Party! We've told my family and a couple local friends which has been such fun to share but next weekend we're having the official party with family and out of town friends - this day might be one of the events I'm most excited for! 

Week 15:

Blue confetti!!!

• Dates: April 25th
• Best Moments: Enjoying our gender reveal party! Most of our family and friends were able to make it over Sunday to hear pink or blue.  We've finally settled on our details for our annual trip to California and trip planning is always one of my favorites!
• Excited For: Baby browsing - I want to do some registry research before life is all about packing, unpacking and moving.  Really looking for a quiet weekend at home - the reveal weekend was fun but exhausting! 

Week 16:

Derek enjoying our "first baby" beer - the last of the wine basket my bridesmaids made for my bridal shower.

• Dates: May 1st 
• Best Moments: Definitely noticing a little bump starting to show, not super noticeable, yet! Exciting to see and watch it start to change.  Started to tackle our registry this week - we'll be tied up with moving next week so I want to do it without being rushed to search the best products, reviews, etc.  We booked our California trip which could quite possibly be our last flight pre-baby - still deciding on that one!
• Excited For: We're going out with my Mom next week for a little registry shopping and such.  It's also time to pack up any baby stuff we already have to be ready for the move!

This & That

Happy Monday! We had the most relaxing weekend - I knew Saturday was a good day when I changed from my pajamas to gym clothes back to pajamas.  This was our first "no plan" weekend in a while and while Derek placed second in a golf tournament I got a jump start on the packing - slow and steady is my plan.

Tis' the season for flowers - Wegman's always has the best arrangements and bouquets.  These four have been going strong for over a week and counting now.

Making my favorite pretzels to share the news of our little boy.

We had a few eat outside like days and took full advantage - hoping that weather comes back soon! 

On the note of Mexican food, celebrating Cinco de Mayo.

Not too many house visits left before it's home.

Have a good week! xx 

Friday Picks

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Sadly I won't be indulging in a margarita tonight, but I will be celebrating. This week dragged and dragged - I'm definitely ready for a weekend of rest.  While it won't be sunny around here, I still have summer looks & shopping on my mind...

off the shoulder dress

tory burch tote

sunglasses (only $12!)

clinique summer  getaway set

leather clutch

tassel earrings

Have a good weekend! xx