Scenes From Our Weekend + Winner

Whew, we had a busy weekend. Matt has a trial coming up so he basically slaved away at the office all weekend and my parents and I worked super hard organizing and getting the nursery ready. I'm exhausted. 

 A few sneak peaks, don't want to give too much away before the big reveal.  All I have left to do is hang curtains, switch out knobs on our white dresser, and install overhead light fixture.  We are in business.

My Dad assembled Sterling's old crib in like 20 minutes.  I swear it would have taken me all day to do it.  He really is such a good handy man.  He also installed new shelves in two of our closets and hung numerous pictures for me!

Crib Sheet is Katie in Lilac from Biscuit Home ||  Mongolian Lamb Pillow is West Elm ||  Pom-Pom Throw is Hattan Home || Ink Dye Rug Lulu & Georgia || Purple Hippo

I hung up a few of baby girl's clothes in her closet.  Tiny velvet hangers make me very happy, so do her clothes I wish some came in the adult version.

Charleston peeps, I have an old tufted chair that used to be in the nursery that I am getting ready to put on Craigslist but thought I would mention it on here first.   I adore this chair we just have no where to put it now in our tiny house with our expanding family.   I actually thought about turning into a rocker for the nursery but I have my great grandmothers rocking chair I really wanted to use.  The fabric would need to be recovered it has some ink marks and stains but it is a great chair for a bedroom, kids room or nursery.  It is from Mecklenberg furniture so it is solid nice piece of furniture.  I'm asking $75 if any locals are interested email me at nataliemason24@yahoo.com.

While we were out picking up organizational stuff I found the most awesome dragon painting at Goodwill for, a grand total of $3.  We hung it in Sterling's room under the silhouette by WayWay and I am kind of loving it.  I am going to eventually get a new layered mat but for now it works.

Sterling also got a new chest from my grandfathers house.  I love the vintage look and feel of it and how special it was his great grandfathers.  And yep that is a light up spider-web you see in his window and pumpkin on his chest. Sterling is obsessed with Halloween so we let him put some decorations in his room:)  The clutter drives me crazy but it makes him happy!

Went to JCrew to try and buy another swing sweater because I love mine so much.  Side note the swing sweater in back in stock online in smaller sizes in the pink color if anyone missed out. They did not have any in stock in store of course but I found a fab alternative, the Boyfriend Sweater.  It is made of the same material and loose fitting as well it just has a v-neck instead of crew-neck.

I got the tan color and I am really loving it.

Sterling has been obsessed with dressing his monster Rufus in the baby's clothes.  Is this what kids do before they have a sibling?  He wants to change his outfit everyday, at least he will be helpful dressing the baby, right?

This weekend, I discovered Clint Eastwood's son, can we discuss how good looking he is?  I mean really?  He is giving Zac Efron a run for his money.

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Lastly winner of the Biscuit Home giveaway is:
Becca at Low Country Couture!
Congrats Becca!
Shoot me an email at nataliemason24@yahoo.com and let me know which color boudoir sham you choose!

XOXO

Weekend Style Files: Crushing on Harper Beckham

As soon as I found out I was having a girl my first thought was I can't wait to go shopping. Funny thing is I have been super selective about what I want to buy, girl clothes are turning out to be harder than I thought.  I dressed Sterling ultra traditional when he was a baby think everything smocked and monogrammed.  This time I have not monogrammed one thing for baby girl and just don't love the smocked stuff like I did with Sterling.  I think baby girl is going to have a bit more modern style. 

Enter Harper Beckham, if I could chose any child's wardrobe for my baby it would be Harper's.  She is one stylish little girl, but what do you expect when your mom is Victoria Beckham- and can we talk about how hot David is with her??  Anyways I have been using pictures of Harper to serve as inspiration when shopping for our sweet girl.

Is she not the best dressed baby?? And I die over her little top knot, too adorable.  I rounded up a few of my picks to dress your baby like Harper.  Tell me what baby's style do you love?  Here's to hoping my baby girl will follow in Harper's footsteps and be uber chic!

Leopard Dress ||  Heart Tunic Dress || Navy Dot Dress || Printed Cord Dress
Pipped Booties ||  Heart Bloomers || Navy Flats || Navy Tights ||  Bow Booties

Bird Print Top || Baby Tunic ||  Shearling Hooded Coat || Bow Jumpsuit
French Terry Leggings ||  Stripped Leggings ||  Minnetonka Booties || Camel Swing Coat || Salt Water Sandals

Wear This, Make This, Eat This, Read This, Donate Here + Batman

TGIF Friends.  I am looking forward to the weekend.  My parents got here last night and it is project nursery all weekend.  I am putting my sweet Dad to work installing shelves in closets, putting together the crib, and hanging artwork.  Its gonna be a busy weekend but I am ready to get this nursery finished.

I am loving this cooler weather here, I still prefer it a bit cooler but at least I can wear jeans now and cover my heinous veins without sweating my ass off.  Had to share one of my favorite Maternity outfits.  Actually the jeans are the only maternity aspect so any of you non-preggos could wear this as well.  I am so in love with my JCrew Swing Sweater and get compliments everytime I wear it.  My Baublebar Aztec necklace is my new favorite piece, it dresses up the dullest outfit and goes with everything.  The Elizabeth and James shoes are a steal now at 60% off.  They are so comfortable even on my swollen feet plus they look so cute on!

As far as the maternity jeans go, my sister gave me these from she was pregnant and I have to say Old Navy really impressed me.  I did not love their maternity shorts, but I really like these jeans.  They fit well and I think they look expensive.  We went up a size in the jeans and got a 6 and have plenty of room.  If I didn't only have a few weeks left, I would snag one of these black pairs as well.

||  J Crew Swing Sweater || Old Navy Skinny Maternity Jeans ||  Baublebar Necklace ||  Elizabeth and James Flats ||

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I have been majorly craving anything pumpkin and anything in the bread family.  I made these Pumpkin Spice Muffins a few weeks ago and they were delicious.  I left off the icing but I bet they are incredible with the icing.

|| Pumpkin Spice Muffins ||

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If you are local, please stop for lunch at The Butcher and Bee and get the Mezzo Platter.  I had it yesterday and it was truly amazing.   Their hummus is some of the best hummus I have ever had!

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I am so honored to be featured over on The What to Expect Website.  They gave me the freedom to write an article about anything I wanted and I choose The Terrible Threes:)  You can read my article HERE.

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My sweet friend Katherine's (You may know her from her awesome blog Southern Bourbon Mountains) mom has Alzheimer Disease.  Such a hard disease and my heart goes to out to her.  She participates in the Alzheimers walk every year to raise money in honor of her mom, and the walk is this Saturday in Charlotte.  Such a touching story.   Please take a moment and read about her story HERE and if you feel generous make a small donation.

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Lastly, I leave you my precious little man.  We went to Target this week and he picked out his Halloween costume and decided on Batman.  He loves Halloween so much, he even slept in his costume last night:)  The fiercest (and cutest)  Batman around.

Have a great weekend!
XOXO

My New Bedding From Biscuit Home + Giveaway

If you have not heard of Biscuit Home yet, you need too.  Their online shop is filled with fabulous bedding, furniture, and gifts.  I could browse for hours.

 As soon as we got our new King Bed, I knew I wanted bedding from Biscuit Home.  I had seen Biscuit Home bedding all over the internet and loved the look.  Such great patterns and colors!  Bailey and Caroline with Biscuit Home were sweet enough to help me select my bedding and I could not be more ecstatic about the results.  We went with the Grey border shams and duvet.

The bedding arrived and it was beautifully packaged.  All the individual shams and duvet came in the cutest zippered pouches.  The top polka dot sheet is the Katie Lilac Crib Sheet for our nursery with an adorable hippo for baby girl.

I monogrammed our two front pillows for our  King Bed  (locals I used O'Connor Monogram Shop, I swear by them, they do excellent work).  I could not be happier with the results.  Since we don't have a headboard yet I used the European Shams lined up kind of as a make shift headboard.  The duvet and shams are the softest most comfortable bedding ever.  We are in love.  I might never buy another type of bedding.  They also wash fabulously. Next I am splurging on these sheets from Biscuit Home I love our other bedding so much.

Lucky for you readers, Biscuit Home has graciously offered to giveaway a Boudoir Border Sham.  You can select your favorite color, they come in so many fabulous colors.  Perfect to monogram and put in front of your existing pillows.  Would also be so cute in a nursery placed in a rocker or crib.

TO ENTER:
1. Be a follower of Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers
2. Visit Biscuit Home and leave a comment saying which color sham you would choose
**make sure you leave your email address so we can contact you if you win and just leave one comment per entry **

You have til Sunday at Midnight to enter and I will announce the winner Monday.


They have an actual store in Houston Texas for any of my Texas Readers.  I will leave you with a few fabulous beds decked out in Biscuit Home bedding.  The possibilities are endless with all their gorgeous bedding options.

Southwestern Pasta Salad

This is recipe I remember making several years ago back when I lived at home. My mom and sister and I used to love it. We finally busted out the recipe again last time I was home and it was just as good as I remembered.  Next time I make it I think I may add in some fresh or pickled jalapenos to give it an extra kick and some heat.  I find it is best served slightly warmed or at room temperature.  This would make an excellent dinner if you added grilled chicken or shrimp over the top.  I think what I like most about this pasta is it has a creamy dressing instead of a vinaigrette, its so good.
Enjoy!

:: S O U T H W E S T E R N   P A S T A   S A L A D ::

DRESSING

4 oz reduced fat cream cheese

4 tablespoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons milk

1 table spoon olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

SALAD

2 cups bow-tie pasta or 1 12 oz box

1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed

1 can white corn

1 4 oz can chopped green chiles

1/4 cup chopped tomatoes

2-3 green onions chopped

1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped

Fresh shredded Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Combine cream cheese, lemon juice, milk, olive oil, lemon zest, cumin, salt and garlic powder in a microwave bowl.   Heat on high in microwave 1 minute or until cream cheese is soft.  Stir to blend ingredients, add water if it needs to be thinned.  Add in Parmesan cheese and set aside.

Cook pasta and drain.  Add dressing and toss.  Add in black beans, corn, green chiles, green onion, tomato, cilantro and toss.  Grate in fresh Parmesan and mix all together.

Obsessions

\\ J Crew Baby \\

Man oh man am I in trouble.  The J Crew baby line just debuted and I want everything!  A few of my favorites.

Baby Tunic in Fox Print |  Heart One Piece |  Dot PJs

\\ 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Leopard Dress \\
This was my only purchase from the Phillip Lim collection and I have to say I love it.  I didn't even look in the store just ordered online.  It is a great pregnant dress because it is so stretchy.  Love the Mustard color as well and you know I never met an animal print I didn't love:)

\\ Helmut Lange Jersey Jacket \\

Love this jacket and love the fact that it is jersey so that means it is super comfortable.  I would wear this jacket everyday, I even think it would be cute to toss on over workout clothes.

  \\ La Senorita Jolie Ines and Charlotte Tops \\

You might remember awhile ago I posted about the line La Senorita Jolie.  They seriously make the best tee shirts.  So soft and affordable.  These are my two new favorites and they actually still fit pregnant.  Not pregnant they are the perfect long not too tight tees.  Such great classic tees for everyday wear that won't break the bank.   I own them both in black and wear them all the time. Use code LSJ-DBDD for free shipping on everything!

 \\ Spanx Ready to Wear Leggings \\

These leggings are the answer to my prayers.  I love everything Spanx and had been wishing they  would come out with leggings.  I live in leggings in the Fall and have yet to find a pair that really suck you and are flattering,  but it looks like these are.  I will most def be getting a pair of these.

\\ Tinley Road Swiss Dots Blouse \\
This blouse looks just like an expensive blouse but it is only $59.  Such a great blouse for work or play.  Love both the green and nude.  And thru tonight at midnight you can 20% off your Piperlime order with code THANKYOU.

\\ Sabine Pleated Maxi Skirt \\
This maxi looks so similar to the Tibi version everyone was buying last summer.  Such a steal at $64.  You could wear this now and into the cooler months with a leather jacket. You can also use code THANKYOU for this on Piperlime.