Monday, February 4, 2013

Scenes From Our Weekend

Happy Monday Friends!  I have been in Charlotte since Wednesday visiting my family and it has lovely.   Time home soothes the soul.

When I am in town my mom and I always love to do some shopping and our favorite is hitting up consignment stores.  I scored these gorgeous vintage pink wine glasses and could not be more thrilled.  Every girl should have pink glasses.


Saturday night we attended a really fun engagement party for one of our friends, Lauren.  I rocked my red dress from Hampden Clothing with a fabulous Pave necklace that Baublebar was gracious enough to send me!  The necklace provides the perfect sparkle to any outfit, I even rocked it with a tee-shirt this weekend.
 I managed to spill everything I ate down the front of my dress.  Why is it when I am in silk I inevitably spill things??  



My mom treated me to a much needed manicure and I used Essie Power Clutch. I was so obsessed with it I bought a bottle at the nail salon.  Really the perfect grey color.


My sweet Dad, bless his heart,  told me he would take Sterling to get a haircut while mom and I got manis.  We got home and Sterling's hair was butchered,  all of his sweet curls were chopped off.  Precisely why a man should never be in charge of haircuts.  Here is the before and after.  Makes me sad everytime I look at it.



The whole reason I came in town this week was for my sister's baby shower on Sunday.  It was such a fun time, I am so happy for her and can't wait to meet my sweet little nephew.  
Big Thanks to Bon Vivant Style for creating the perfect invites for me.  I adore them.  I also had Liza make Sterling's birthday invites- if you need invites she is the girl to contact!  Her work is flawless and so original.


I wore my Rory Becca Dress  from Social Dress Shop.  I was obviously getting in the spirit of Valentines Day with my pink and red dresses this weekend:)


I made my favorite cucumber sandwiches for the party.  Always a hit!


 If any of you girls are pregnant I highly recommend this baby bouncer.  It is freaking amazing.  We gave it to my sister as her shower gift.  It moves side to side and up and down instead of just back and forth.  It is so cool and sleek.   I wish I had this when Sterling was a baby. 


Thanks to my parents I have a new wine Obsession: Cakebread Chardonnay.  Get it you won't be disappointed.


This quote really resonated with me after dealing with some draining people recently.  Surround yourself with positive people that make you feel good about yourself not bad!


xoxo
Natalie

Friday, February 1, 2013

Valentines Day Yay or Nay?

Valentines day is right around the corner.   Valentines Day was my original due date for Sterling (he ended up coming two days later) and Valentines marks Matt and I's first date 11 years ago.  Total cheeseball our first date was on Valentines Day- but it worked we are still going strong.   It's kind of weird that two big events mark that day for me, but I am still really not that into Valentines Day.   Do I expect Matt to bring me champagne and flowers?  Absolutely but that is about as far as our Valentines celebrations go.  We never go out on Valentines Day.  I feel like it is kind of silly, especially after you are married I feel like your wedding anniversary trumps Valentines Day.  But I am curious are any of you die-hard Valentines celebrators?  What do you do to celebrate the day?  Maybe we should be more romantic and put more effort into it.

This year since Sterling is so into all the Holidays I am getting a little more into the VDay spirit.  
I am planning on making either Valentines bark or Valentines Pretzels with him.  My little man just loves helping me in the kitchen and both of these would be super easy to do with kids.



I am also thinking about getting crafty and making these Valentines cards for the kids in Sterling's class.   Maybe- I could see myself just getting lazy and buying the box kind, but these are so darn cute.


and I can guarantee you this sandwich will be in Sterling's lunch box on Valentines day- we have a heart cookie cutter already so this one will be happening.  He will flip when he sees sprinkles on his PB&J.


Now what about for moi??  I am honestly happy with a bottle of Mumm Rose Brut or Veuve.  But these Grapefruit Cocktails have been tempting me lately so they just might have to be made.

We don't exchange gifts but if money were no object I would love this Stella McCartney Nightgown.
How gorgeous and sexy is it?   

In all honesty cocktails and pizza in with my man would be the perfect evening by me (but seriously Matt I still expect champagne and flowers- tulips or peonies).



Have a great weekend dolls!
xoxo

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Bikini Shopping

This week while I was in Target browsing I noticed their bathing suits were out- yes in January.  I saw two cute ones and figured why not?  I should try these on.  Bad idea.  Why is bathing suit shopping so horrible.  The lighting, the gigantic mirrors.  It was a nightmare.   I wanted to cry when I put on the bikinis.  I was pale and flabby.  Now don't get me wrong I don't think I am fat by any means, my body was just loose and gross.   My stomach area really needs some work.  And the sad thing is I have been eating pretty healthy and working out.  UHHH I obviously need to be doing more before I get a bikini.  But it got me thinking I would love a kick ass bikini for this summer. 

I don't think I bought a single bathing suit last year, its time for a new two piece for mama.  I own quite a few one pieces I love but no bikinis that I love. I figure I am not getting any younger so I might as well rock one while I can.
This is my inspiration for the summer.  I want to look as good as Gwyneth in her bikini.  I mean she is 40 and looks freaking amazing.



Who makes the most flattering bikinis?  I may order online and try on in my house because I am traumatized by my Target experience.   I am not afraid to spend a little dough on a bikini I feel comfortable in because I don't buy them often.  I want a classic one to last me a awhile.

Here are a few I have narrowed it down to:
This one is a fore runner I have wanted it forever.  It is not cheap but looks amazing and might just be worth the money.

{Eberjey Tutu Bikini}
Classic black and love the cute ruffle.  I am partial to strapless bathing suits too because of tan lines.  Although Matt claims one with straps are more flattering....

I already own a few one pieces but this one is so classic and flattering, I would love to have it!

 {Missoni Bikini}
Remember this beauty from my obsessions post?    I really want her, like bad.  Even though it is skimpy,  some people swear string bikinis are the way to go.  That they are more flattering than regular bikinis because they don't cut in at your hips.  This is the priciest option though.  Anyone own a Missoni bikini?  How do they fit/hold up?






 I really want a long cover up this year too.  I have lots and lots of short ones but want a really fabulous long one.  My top picks:

{Indah Strapless Maxi| Indah Empire Cover-up | LemLem Patio Dress | Bop Basics Maxi}




 Ok so take a vote and tell me which of the top 3 bikinis I should buy??  or where else I should be shopping for a fabulous bikini- one that will make me look like Gwyneth:)

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Thai Chicken Pizza


Get ready for your new favorite pizza, for real.  This pizza is off the hook good,  bursting with so many different flavor combos.  My mouth is watering just looking at it. You can save time by buying a premade pizza dough.  We just called our local pizza shop and picked up a ball of dough from there which was so easy.   This was such a light, fun spin on pizza.  The combination of the chicken, zucchini, chili sauce,  and mozzarella was amazing.  Don't be afraid of the crushed peanuts on top they give the pizza a great crunch and Thai flavor.   We of course drizzled sriracha over the top which gave it some extra heat- so I highly recommend that if you like things spicy.   I would eat this every week if I could.

**This called for the pizza to be cooked on a pizza stone but we used a round pizza pan and it worked just fine**

{THAI CHICKEN PIZZA}
Adapted from Tasty Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 1 whole Batch Of Your Favorite Pizza Dough, Rolled Out To About A 1/4 Inch, 12 Inch Diameter
  • ¼ cups Flour
  • 1 Tablespoon Fine Corn Meal (We never used the corn meal)
  • ½ cups Sweet Asian Chili Sauce, Plus 1 Tablespoon For Drizzle
  • 1 whole Shallot, Thinly Sliced
  • ½ whole Zucchini, Thinly Sliced
  • 1 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
  • 1 cup Cooked Chicken Shredded
  • ⅔ cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
  • ¼ cups Chopped Peanuts
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Cilantro
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Basil (optional) 
  •  Sriracha for drizzling
    Preparation Instructions Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F with a pizza stone in the oven. If you do not have a pizza stone, put a large baking sheet in the oven (make sure to use one that is large enough to house your dough).

    Begin by adding some flour to your rolling surface. Take your dough that has already risen, and lightly knead it. Roll out the dough to about a 1/4 inch thick, or however your like the thickness of your crust.

    Lay the dough down on a pizza peel (if you have one) that’s covered with corn meal. Otherwise put the dough on a surface that you can use to slide the entire pizza onto the hot pizza stone or pan. The corn meal helps assist with the pizza dough – so it slides off easily.

    Spread the Asian chili sauce on the surface of the dough. Not too thick, not too thin. Add the sliced shallots and zucchini. Top with the red chili flakes and shredded chicken. Top with the cheese.

    Using your pizza peel, place the pizza into the oven on your cooking surface (stone or pan) and cook for about 15 minutes, keeping an eye on your crust and toppings so they do not burn. Every oven is different.

    Once the pizza dough is golden around the edges and the cheese is nice and bubbly, remove pizza from the oven.

    Drizzle more of the Asian chili sauce over the top, top with the crushed peanuts and fresh cilantro and fresh basil.
     

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Obsessions

I picked up this skirt at Hampden Clothing in an Olive green color and I am obsessed with it.  It is the most versatile skirt.  It is made of a light weight jersey.  Easy to wear casually during the day and dress up for at night.  Now I desperately want the white version for summer.  It would go with everything.  I picture it paired with navy, black and hot pink!  It is super flattering and comfortable- double bonus!

After stalking out the color block tote at Gap last week I came across these clutches and fell in love.  I adore a cute clutch for a night out instead of toting my gigantic mom purse.  I also love a small clutch to keep inside my big purse filled with snacks for Sterling.  I always keep one stocked in case we are out and he has a meltdown.  These are the perfect size to drop in your big purse or carry alone.
They are a steal at $29.95 and you get 30% off with code GAP30.  They are only online.




I blogged about this dress awhile back but had to include it again because it is on sale for practically nothing.  I love mine and wear it all the time.  With the extra 40% Madewell (code LOVE40) is offering on sale items right now,  this dress comes to a whopping $68.  Makes me mad because I paid full price but you guys should totally take advantage of this steal of a price!!  It runs true to size.



 This bikini needs to be mine.  It ain't cheap but so worth it.  I love anything Missoni.  God Bless my little man who just saw the headless model and said "is that you mama?"  Way to make my day!



Adore this necklace and need it for Summer.  It would look so great with cotton tees and maxi dresses.

My maxi dress obsession continues.  This one is only $59.  Such a fab dress for cheap- get it before it sells out!




{Quote}

Monday, January 28, 2013

Scenes From Our Weekend


Ladies, thank you so much for the out pouring of support on Friday.  I was honestly a little nervous to share my journey but something pushed me to do it and I am so glad I did.  I appreciated every single personal email and comment I received.  I am still trying to respond to all the emails I got so if you have not heard from me I am working on it!  It made me feel hopeful to know I am not alone and there are others trekking down the same path as me.  So thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening to my story and sharing yours.  Here is to 2013 being a great year for all of us.

Now on to our weekend.

If you live in Charleston you must hit up Hampden Clothing.  Non locals they have a great website  too, so you can shop online!   They are having their annual 75% off sale and there are some amazing deals there.  The prices are incredible!  I scored this fabulous red dress that I just may wear next weekend for my sister's baby shower.


Thank you for all the fab hair suggestions.  There are so many I want to try out.  To start off I hit up Target and picked up all the Suave Keratin products.  They were the most recommended products by far.  I will try them out this week and let you girls know what I think.  I am also going to start taking the Biotin pills.


While we were at Target I decided to treat Sterling to his first Icee and he loved it- and so did I.  I forgot how darn good these are!  I demolished half of it and wish I had gotten myself one.


Speaking of Target their dollar section is such a great place to find activities for kids.  I picked up this Valentine banner there and Sterling and I had a great time coloring it.  He loved it so much he insisted we hang it in his room:)


 I got my first pedicure since last summer- seriously it had been awhile since my feet had been pampered.  I used Essie Macks and love it.  The perfect transition color between winter and spring, not too dark and not too light.



Saturday night we tried our hand at making our own pizza.  I picked up dough from our local pizza place and we made this terrific Thai Chicken Pizza.  Recipe coming to blog this week.  It was ridic, the flavors were so fresh.


Sunday night Matt went to bed super early (like 7:30) so I let this little guy get in bed and cuddle and watch the SAG red carpet with with me.  Nothing better than cuddling in bed with your little one.  Perfect end to our weekend.  and FYI I don't normally lounge in bed in a mink hat, Sterling insisted I wear it.


 These ladies were a few of my favorite best dressed from the SAGS.  Side parts and strapless dresses were in full effect last night!


Happy Monday!
xoxo

Friday, January 25, 2013

The Dreaded Question


Things are about to get a little heavy and personal up in here for a Friday- just a heads up.  I have debated for awhile about writing about this topic and ultimately decided why not??  There might be other people in the same boat as me and we women need to be honest and stick together.  So here goes.


The Dreaded question:  When are you going to have more kids?  Are you going to give Sterling a brother or sister?   Don't you want your kids close in age?  People ask me this all the time and I know I am not the only person that gets this question.  Its like after you get married you get bombarded with "when are you having kids?"  then after you have one kid even before they turn one people start asking "do you want more?  How far apart in age do you want them?  When are you going to start trying for number two? "  All pretty personal questions in my opinion.   Especially when you are struggling to get pregnant. 

I got pregnant with Sterling fairly quickly, took us about 5 months.  Standard timing I guess.  I have always wanted more kids no doubt.  I just didn't want them too close in age.  Sterling was not the easiest baby and kept me very busy/exhausted so I figured three years apart would be perfect.   He would be in a big boy bed and potty trained and then it would be the right timing for number two.

 Right before Sterling turned two last year around Christmas we started trying to get pregnant.  I figured if it took 5-6 months again we would be due right when he turned three.  I got pregnant right away in January and I was shocked.  The whole time I kept thinking there is no way this was that easy this time.  No ovulation sticks, no timing or anything,  just bam I was pregnant.  I was ecstatic but in the back of my mind I just felt like things were too good to be true.  Mothers intuition or something. 

I had a scare at around 7 1/2 weeks with some bleeding.  I went in and had an ultrasound and it showed a cyst had ruptured but the baby was totally fine,  we were even able to see a heartbeat.  My Doctor (who I love) said everything was fine and not to worry but I still didn't feel like things were, and I was right.   A few days later I suffered a miscarriage- on Sterling's birthday of all days.  Can you imagine trying to pull yourself together to celebrate the life of the one child you love and adore while still mourning the loss of your unborn child.  It was one of the most difficult days in my life.  Thank god my family was in town to celebrate Sterling's birthday because they were my life savers.  My mom and sister brought over champagne and helped me pull myself together before all our friends arrived at our house for Sterling's birthday party.  I still remember it like it was yesterday.  I knew miscarriages were horrible but I never understood the extent of the loss you feel until I had one.  My heart goes out to anyone who has had a miscarriage. I bled for a good month, it was a painful reminder everyday of what I had lost.

It was a dark time in my life.  I was sad but hopeful.  I figured well lets wait a month or two and get right back on it, I will surely get pregnant again quickly.  I watched all my best friends get pregnant with and deliver their first and second babies while I still was "trying".  I kid you not 12 of my good friends including my sister got pregnant while all this was going on.  I was so happy for each and everyone of them but kept thinking when will it be my turn?  and selfishly I wanted to be pregnant the same as them so our kids would be close in age.  I had always envisioned my sister and I being pregnant at the same time, sharing our pregnancies and experiences,  but God had other plans.

And here we are today January 2013, a year after I got pregnant and more money spent on ovulation sticks then I would like to admit,  and I am still not pregnant again.  We have both been to a fertility specialist and everything looks good for both of us, no issues which makes this even harder.  Nothing to point the finger at to blame.  We are both totally healthy just no baby.   I have not resulted to fertility meds or anything,  just good old fashioned trying so far.  and not sure if I will result to that.   I never in a million years thought it would take this long for baby number two and now I am scared I might not be able to get pregnant again.  The fear runs through my head every day.  I lay in bed at night and this thought consumes me.   I want to be ok with one child, I do but I so want Sterling to have a sibling.  I am so close with my brother and sister and loved our childhood.  I want him to have that same companionship growing up.

So my journey continues.  This post is not meant to make you feel sad for me, in fact please don't.  I have a wonderful life and I am so lucky to have Sterling.  He brings me more joy than I ever thought possible.  I know there are people out there just trying to get pregnant with baby number one who have never even experienced having a child and I know that is more difficult than my situation.  It's just I know how wonderful having a child is and I want to do again.  It is the best thing by far I have ever done with my life.  

I wanted to share this for others who have suffered a miscarriage or have fertility issues to let you know you are not alone.  This happens to alot of women.  I don't know why more women don't speak more openly about fertility issues and miscarriages.  I feel like people keep all that bottled up and secret when those are the times you need support and encouragement the most.  My friends that shared their personal struggles and losses with me helped me more than anything.  So here I am letting it all out and in my heart I know this is the right thing to do.  Even if this post makes one person feel better or hopeful then it was worth it.

I hope 2013 will bring us a baby (say a prayer for us), I know it is all in God's hands and I trust his master plan.  But just think next time you ask someone that dreaded question you may not know what kind of struggles they are having. 

Now I am off to drink some wine because its the weekend and I am not pregnant so I can still booze:)  I will leave you with this quote that really helped me during my dark days.
xoxo
p.s- hope that wasn't too heavy for a Friday back to normal posting next week:)