What are you up to this week? I'm heading into the heart of Manhattan tomorrow for a much-needed spa day. I'll be indulging in a massage (of the pre-natal variety) and a facial. I've been counting down the weeks, this baby bump has got my back aching. Sunday will be full of baking up something yummy, and prepping even more for baby girl's arrival. Hope you have a good weekend and here are some gems from around the web...

1. The Elegant Art of Not Giving a Shit by David Cain - "Not giving a shit sounds like apathy, but it’s not. It’s simply a refusal to waste your energy and time on thoughts you’re not going to act on."

2. 15 Tips to Styling, Shooting and Sharing - Some really great tips on how to style great Pinterest photos.

3. How a Plus-Size Girl Navigates the Pin-This World of Fashion - Why the fashion industry is still lagging.

4. The Brittany Maynard Fund: A Quest to Die With Dignity - A big story circulating this week. Sad but thought provoking. What are your thoughts?

5. Masters of Love - 'Masters' vs 'Disasters' and why, when it comes to marriage, some triumph while others fail .

Image: 1
We've been crazy busy since last week and I've had little to no time keeping up with this new blog, unfortunately. I had my 20 week check-up and found out that we're having a baby.....



GIRL! We couldn't be more excited. I've had visions of dance recitals, hair bows, and dresses all week.

Now that we know we're having a girl, we've gone full-throttle towards decorating the nursery. I've decided on white, pink, and gold. Girly enough, but still classic and demure. We splurged on Restoration Hardware Baby bedding which should be delivered any day now and I have tons of DIY decor projects in the works. My best friend, who suddenly realized she has a new calling as an artist, even painted a painting on canvas for this little baby girl. She's so lucky already. Pictures to come, but for now, some white, pink, and gold nursery inspiration for a baby girl's room.





 




1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5





What are you up to this weekend? We're all on a one-way ticket to fall, pumpkin everything, and cozy socks. My favorite time of year, by far. I've got plans to decorate and peruse all things nursery, whip of some of my famous gluten free banana bread, and hopefully snag some New York City Ballet Nutcracker tickets for December when my mom comes to visit.

Friday Night Meatballs. Might be the best idea I've heard in a long time.

Have you read Gone Girl? I'm anxiously awaiting the movie's release next month by watching the chilling trailer.

I'd give a whole lot to be even half as funny as John Oliver.

I'm in awe of Misty Copeland. So strong, graceful, and poised. I miss dance.

Reasons my son is crying. Made me laugh... also freaked me out a bit.

Nice nosing you. I can't get enough of this photographer and his dog noses.


Today is the first day of Fall. Can you believe it? I can't either. The autumn season is my favorite season by far. The air becomes crisp, the leaves change colors, and things just seem a little more peaceful as winter approaches. I always conjure up images of books, cups of tea, umbrellas, baked goods, and rainy grey days. The rain doesn't seem to get me down here in New York, instead, I feel that growing up in Seattle has given me an appreciation for the sound of rain and the cleansing it brings. It's a pleasant sight to see, at least for me!

We're hoping to head upstate the end of October for a relaxing weekend away. We're calling it our babymoon, even though we'll only be a few hours drive away from home. I hope to catch some great shots of the fall foliage, spend some much needed time away before the holidays and the baby arrives, and eat a ton of pumpkin-flavored goodies.

autumn foliage

   Pumpkin Carving 
                                     Aritzia Wilfred A/W 14


single-crust plum and apple pie


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
The weather here in New York is still warm but there's an inkling that fall is fast approaching as soon the sun goes down. I'm excited to bring out the cozy over-sized sweaters and pick out pumpkins with the hubby, to bake baked goods for friends and see the trees on our property change colors.

What is your favorite season?

Images: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10




How to Decorate Open Kitchen Shelving



 Images: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

I have fallen in love with open kitchen shelving. With the majority of our kitchen cabinets under the counter tops and floor to ceiling on one wall, we have a few open wall spaces in need of some love. I've liked the idea of showing off beautiful pieces for a while and it forces me to stay organized. Open shelving can make the room feel larger, give the space an industrial feel, and can be both interesting and functional.

The only downside, in my opinion, is the dust. If you don't use your dishes or items too often, they will most likely collect dust. Not an issue in our household, but a cautionary tale for others. Also, don't try storing your Tupperware on the open shelves... no one wants to stare at your jumbled mess.

Image: Houzz

Image: Houzz

I can't believe I'm nearly halfway through with my pregnancy. While it feels like I've been pregnant forever, it equally feels like it has all just flown by. We put up the blinds in the nursery today (hard work!) and the hubby put in the last wall of baseboard molding. Weeks back we had to remove a full wall of wood paneling and after prepping and painting, we had to finish it off with molding. Why there was only wood paneling on one wall, I'll never be able to figure that one out.

Now, with only two days until our big gender reveal party, my days of gender neutral nursery finds will be taken over by pops of blue or pink.We're excited to get some color in that room but we're also staying true to the style of our home by using calming neutral colors as staples and only decorating with pops of color. You can always change out colors later, when we all inevitably change our minds. These are a few gems that I plan on incorporating into the baby design scheme.





















     






Images: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5




Chalk Paint Colors

Chalk Paint Colors
Chalk Paint Colors

Chalk paint is a tremendously popular type of paint that was invented by Annie Sloan over 20 years ago. Tired of having to do a bunch of prep work and being forced to hunt for exactly the right type of paint for each project, she invented a paint that works on virtually everything from walls to kids furniture.
It can be thinned out and even turned into a wash by adding water. Leave it open for a while to thicken it up for a heavier coat. It can be wax polished to create a shiny or plaster effect. Colors can be mixed easily to create custom shades. Really, you can do anything with it.
Even though it has been around for more than two decades, it seems like it’s only recently that the internet and home decorating/crafty media have exploded over the stuff. Suddenly everybody is talking about how great it is and how many different ways there are to use it. Why?
- See more at: http://paintedfurnitureonline.com/archives/whats-with-chalk-paint-80-pictures-of-annie-sloan-chalk-painted-furniture-of-chalk-painted-furniture#sthash.AZK4xb5I.dpuf
Chalk paint is a tremendously popular type of paint that was invented by Annie Sloan over 20 years ago. Tired of having to do a bunch of prep work and being forced to hunt for exactly the right type of paint for each project, she invented a paint that works on virtually everything from walls to kids furniture.
It can be thinned out and even turned into a wash by adding water. Leave it open for a while to thicken it up for a heavier coat. It can be wax polished to create a shiny or plaster effect. Colors can be mixed easily to create custom shades. Really, you can do anything with it.
Even though it has been around for more than two decades, it seems like it’s only recently that the internet and home decorating/crafty media have exploded over the stuff. Suddenly everybody is talking about how great it is and how many different ways there are to use it. Why?
- See more at: http://paintedfurnitureonline.com/archives/whats-with-chalk-paint-80-pictures-of-annie-sloan-chalk-painted-furniture-of-chalk-painted-furniture#sthash.AZK4xb5I.dpuf
Chalk paint is an incredibly popular type of paint that seems to recently be making major headlines. Its finally making is mark on the internet with the media and other designers going crazy over it. But why? What's so amazing about this chalk paint?

Chalk paint was invented about 20 years ago by Annie Sloan as she was trying to hunt for paints that worked for all sorts of projects - from walls to child furniture to metal. With chalk pain, you get a velvety matte finish or you can add wax to achieve a subtle sheen.These paints can be thinned out or left open to thicken up and can used for pretty much any project, in any way. Use it on all sorts of surfaces like plastic, metal, concrete, wood, walls, and even pottery.

I'm excited to get my hands on some of this paint asap for some ideas I have in the nursery. Now the big question: pink or blue?

Gorgeous paints by Annie Sloan
Paint recipes: www.poppytalk.com
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Laura's passion for art, fashion, culture, and her family gives her an eclectic perspective on life and style.

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