Thursday, December 5, 2013

Waffles and Honey: Shop You Must Checkout!



I am so excited to introduce you to one of my new favorite online shops today, Waffles and Honey. Just in time for Christmas shopping! When Karina, the talented artist behind all this gorgeous jewelry contacted me, I was blown away by her work.  She hand makes all the jewelry in small batches in her shop in San Fransisco using all 14 and 24 karat gold and semi precious stones.  The quality is amazing, each piece is so unique and her prices are really affordable!  The pictures don't do the pieces justice they are even more stunning in person!

Karina was sweet enough to send me the geode necklace and stacking rings and I am officially obsessed with both.  I have been wearing them both non-stop since I got them and always get compliments whenever I am out!
The geode necklace goes with everything.  I find myself tossing it on daily to snazz up a boring tee shirt outfit and feel put together immediately.


The rings can be worn alone or stacked and I like them both ways.  So many different color combinations too.  Ignore my decaying manicure no time for that with two kids now:)


The Waffles and Honey site is filled with so many other fabulous things.  A few of my favorites, I mean I actually want one of everything!






Stunning, hand made pieces, right?  Such a great gift for a mom, sister, friend or even better yourself.  Most pieces are under $100, such a steal for beautiful pieces of jewelry.
Karina has been nice enough to offer my readers a 15% off discount any purchase- just use code db&dd15 at checkout.
Take advantage of this deal while you can and do some Christmas shopping!  You can check out the entire site HERE and get to shopping!
xoxo



Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Kale + Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad


So we ended up hosting Thanksgiving this year the day after I got home from the hospital. Crazy, right?  I was all good until about 9:00pm when I had a full on breakdown and started crying- these pregnancy hormones ain't no joke!  It is overwhelming being a new mom.  I was promptly sent to bed to rest.   Before my meltdown I managed to make my favorite salad for our dinner. Truth be told I am not a huge fan of Thanksgiving food, so I always make this salad every year because I know I will love it- Matt he won't touch it but that just means more leftovers for me!  It is such a light and fresh salad and is even better the next day as it sits.  Toasting the almonds in oil really adds extra flavor and crunch to the salad and I always add extra cheese!  I use our mandolin slice the Brussels sprouts really thinly but you could totally use a knife if you don't have a mandolin!
Enjoy!

:: K A L E  +  B R U S S E L S   S P R O U T S   S A L A D ::
adapted from Bon Appetit
                                                            

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon minced shallot
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for seasoning
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 large bunches of Tuscan kale (about 1 1/2 lb. total), center stem discarded, leaves thinly sliced
  • 12 ounces brussels sprouts, trimmed, finely grated or shredded with a knife
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1/3 cup almonds with skins, coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup finely grated Pecorino
Combine lemon juice, Dijon mustard, shallot, garlic, 1/2 tsp. salt, and a pinch of pepper in a small bowl. Stir to blend; set aside to let flavors meld. Mix thinly sliced kale and shredded brussels sprouts in a large bowl.


  • Measure 1/2 cup oil into a cup. Spoon 1 Tbsp. oil from cup into a small skillet; heat oil over medium-high heat. Add almonds to skillet and stir frequently until golden brown in spots, about 2 minutes. Transfer nuts to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle almonds lightly with salt.
  • Slowly whisk remaining olive oil in cup into lemon-juice mixture. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
  • DO AHEAD: Dressing, kale mixture, and toasted almonds can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover dressing and kale mixture separately and chill. Cover almonds and let stand at room temperature.
  • Add dressing and cheese to kale mixture; toss to coat. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Garnish with almonds.

  • Tuesday, December 3, 2013

    Obsessions- My Christmas Wishlist

    Each year we make a Christmas list for my parents. They like to know what we want so they can buy us something we will actually use and enjoy. Here is my actual list from this year. I never know what I will get off the list and that is part of the fun.  Anything else fab I should add to my wishlist?

    I am huge lover of coffee table books and this is top on my list to add to my growing collection.

    I can not wait to fit back in regular clothes again.  High waisted jeans are essential post baby. I like to treat myself to one new pair a year and hoping I see these under the tree.  I swear by Rag and Bone jeans they are so flattering.


    This bamboo scent is pure heaven.  Best smelling hand soap and candle!

    So I actually already know I am getting this blouse for Christmas.  Mom and I did some online shopping for Black Friday and I chose this- ladies it is still on sale, a great deal for DVF!

    I only own 6 stemless champagne glasses and I really would like a few more for entertaining.  I adore these gold ones and they are not a bad price for the set of four.  This would make a great gift for any one who loves champagne and entertaining!



    I have wanted a Claire Vivier Clutch forever and this leopard one is my favorite!

    I love my Tieks snakeskin flats so much I really want another pair.  They are the most comfortable flats ever.  I swear I like them better than my Tory Burch flats.  I want the camel color next it would go with everything!


    Had to add this to my list after seeing it on my sister in laws list.  Love it, the perfect everyday watch!

    ::WEST ELM LAQUERED ICE BUCKET ::
    I love the sleek and modern look of this ice bucket.  I don't own a great ice bucket, only a few small crystal ones so this one would definitely get put to good use!  Plus I just checked and it is 50% off!  Such a steal for a great little gift!  Pair this with a bottle of wine or champagne and you have a great hostess gift.




    Monday, December 2, 2013

    Frances Moon's Arrival!

    Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers. You know what they worked. I had a fast and relatively easy delivery. I am just so thankful and happy to announce the birth of our sweet daughter Frances Moon Mason on November 25th. She is such a blessing and we just can't get enough of her.


    This time around I decided to go the induction route.   With another child at home an induction definitely makes planning easier.  Plus I had been dilated and effaced for the past month with still no baby.  My doctor really recommended it and said I was a favorable candidate.  I decided I wanted to go to my due date to try and allow her to come on her own but alas she never did.  We scheduled the induction for Monday morning the 25th, a day after my due date.  I was nervous about being induced mainly because I was scared of having a c-section.  But let me tell you my induction was wonderful and I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

    Monday we checked in the hospital around 6:30am.    Picture is kind of blurry we were both tired at this point but excited.


    We filled out paperwork, got admitted to our room and then around 7:30 they started a bag of fluids for me.   After the fluids around 8:15 they started the pitocin to get my contractions going.  At first the contractions were not bad but then they quickly got unbearable.  I am still smiling in this picture so it is obviously pre-contractions


    At this point the anesthesiologist was busy so I had to wait 30 more minutes for my epidural.  I had honestly forgotten how bad the pain from the contractions were- wowza.  I could not talk and alternated between feeling like I was going to pass out and vomit for about an hour or so. More power to all the women who don't get epidurals.  About thirty minutes after I got the epidural around 11:10 I called the nurse in and said I really felt like I needed to push.  She checked me and I was indeed ready (I knew I was).   My parents had just gotten to the hospital so they quickly left the room and we rushed Matt back in.   I had to hold off pushing and wait for my doctor to arrive- let me tell you not pushing when you need to is hard!  My doctor arrived and I pushed about 4 times and Miss Frances was out!  I was in labor with Sterling 30 hours so this 4 hour labor felt like a breeze.



     Frances Moon weighed in at 8lbs, 1 oz, and was 20 3/4 inches long.  I think she looks alot like Sterling when he was born.  She is such a sweet baby and very chill.  It blows my mind I have a daughter and I am now a mom to two kids.

    Frances Moon is named after my maternal grandmother.  I was very close with her and still miss her everyday.  She died right before Matt and I started dating, we had our first date a week after she died, so sadly she never got to meet Matt.  I found out I was pregnant this year right before my grandfather died and I knew in my heart it was a girl.  I hate I never got to tell him it was a girl and we named her Frances after his wife.  I do know they are both looking out over us though.  I have felt a certain peace this whole pregnancy and delivery and I know without a doubt it is their presence.


    We were so excited for Sterling to finally meet Frances.  He is so darn sweet with her always blowing her kisses and petting her head.  He is going go be such a great big brother.


    That first night in the hospital we celebrated with some wine my parents brought- this stuff is amazingly delicious I highly recommend.


    With the induction being scheduled my whole family (minus my brother and his wife) were able to be in town which was awesome!  Matt's family was there too of course since they live here!

    I love that Frances will be so close in age to both her cousins, Finley and Drew!





    Two of my favorite friends Julia and Caycee stopped by too to meet Miss Frances.



    I am totally emotionally and physically exhausted and my hormones are crazy out of whack- I will cry at the drop of a hat but I am deliriously happy.  The last month of my pregnancy was crazy hard and I already feel so much better.  I so blessed to have sweet Frances in my life and love having a family of 4!