A Life Ahead of Me: 2014

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.

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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.

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?

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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: Sally Wheat Interiors

Image: Roundhouse Design

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.

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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

Autumn is finally here and it's my favorite time of year. Pumpkin everything, crunchy leaves, all those season premieres, fall fashion, and a some sexy Movember man scruff. The list far extends those I just noted, but I love every autumn-inspired item.

While I'm not too fond of the impending doom of Winter, except for the holidays, I equally dislike summer clothes. I'd rather be wearing layer over layer than next-to-nothing and sandals. This season also happens to be the one I allow myself a little splurging on some wardrobe updates.

These were my top picks for fall that I just purchased… of course another cozy sweater, a fun graphic tea that matches my blog inspiration (!), comfy boots for my pregnant feet, and a floppy hat.
What’s on your list this Autumn season?

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Growing up I was never a chocolate girl (or a coffee girl, but that's a different story), but as I get older I've begun this ever growing appreciation for chocolate. From white, to milk, to dark, I do not discriminate. My favorite? Milk. Nothing gets better than creamy, milky chocolate. It is definitely one of life's little pleasures.

My biggest gripe lately though has been the fact that chocolate usually comes attached to something I can't eat like cookies, or cakes, or graham crackers (mmm!), or ... well, you get the picture. As I now live with a major gluten allergy, I've had to be a little more creative in how I prepare my chocolate. Eating bars or chips of chocolate can only get you so far, and it's just not enough.

Today we splurged here at home and I made gluten-free molten lava cakes. Sounds fancy huh? But honestly, it's so incredibly easy and simple that they could be a daily luxury if you wanted them to be.

Ingredients:

4oz mini chocolate chips

4 tablespoons of butter (unsalted)

dash of vanilla extract

2 eggs

(recipe adapted and found on myglutenfreecookbook.blogspot.com)

Begin by melting the chocolate chips and butter together in a bowl. I just microwaved mine because I'm pretty lazy like that. Once melted, stir until smooth and creamy. Add in two egg YOLKS (keep egg whites for later), 2 tablespoons of sugar, and the vanilla extract to taste. Stir well. With the egg whites in another bowl, beat until soft peaks form and then add in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Continue to beat for another minute or so until all blended together. Next, combine the two bowls and stir together and then separate the chocolaty mixture into ramekins. I used two 5oz ramekins and two 3oz ramekins. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet, for easy transporting, and bake in a 375 degree, pre-heated oven for about 25 minutes. Let cool for a tad and enjoy! Oozy, gooey, chocolate goodness.

I topped mine with strawberries, fresh mint from my own garden (very proud of myself), and gluten-free Talenti chocolate chip ice cream. (Side note: I highly recommend the added ice cream. It combines with the chocolate cake for this semi-gooey, chocolaty, ice cream surprise) Amazing. Sat outside in the NY sun today and enjoyed. Tan + chocolate = a mini-vacation in my backyard.

Gluten Free Molten Lava Cake with Ice Cream

I Love You More Than All The Stars - Pottery Barn Art

For those who don’t know, I’ve got a bun in the oven! This is our first, and we find out what we're having next Tuesday. I'll also be 20 weeks, so there's double the celebration. Can't wait to hit that halfway mark.

We bought the crib about two weeks ago, and every time I walk by the nursery I get this giddy feeling of excitement along with a sudden wash of fear. There I stand, staring at the empty crib in excitement, wonder and intense fear.

As a 27 year old New Yorker, I haven't spent a lot of time around babies. In fact, none of my close friends have had babies yet. I'll be the first momma among my group of friends (minus by good friend Shaina back in Seattle who is due any day now. Hi Shaina!) My nieces and nephews, gained my marrying my hubs, live in Boston and we don't seen them often enough. I don’t chat up random preggies in the grocery store asking when they’re due (you’d be surprised how often that happens), and I have yet to make 'mom friends'. I have zero experience with babies, sadly.

On the other hand, I’m married to my favorite person in the world and the thought of having a mini-hubby or a mini-me running around is the most exciting thing ever. The hubs will be the best dad, honestly. Plus the idea of having my own little family unit to love and take care of sounds all sorts of amazing.

Having said all that, I’m trying to focus my energy on my excitement and wonder. I've been perusing the nursery decor blogs and have become an obsessed Pinterest 'pinner'. I get so excited picking out tiny baby outfits and nursery decor for my little babe. I've been counting down the weeks until we find out whether we're having a girl or a boy but until then, I'm planning my dream nurseries for both. We’re trying to staying away from the all-blue or all-pink thing. Circa 10 years old, I hated my all pink room, I was quite the tom-boy when I was younger. So, we're going to try to make the room just an extension of the rest of our house (think dark wood, neutral colors, with pops color).

Gender reveal party coming up next week and I'm hoping to share some photos of our exciting moment!

Image: Pottery Barn Kids

A DIY Kitchen Nook: This past week the fiance and I finally did something with the awful space in our kitchen. We recently hit the one year anniversary of us moving into our new house and we're still trying to get everything to feel like "home". I came across several DIY ideas online for making a kitchen nook or kitchen banquette, but none of them were too helpful and unfortunately the fiance's lack of handyman skills doesn't help much either... So what to do? Get creative.

DIY Kitchen Nook (aka Banquette)

I started with my base. I came across these cabinets from Ikea. They're actually used to go over the refrigerator in kitchens but we re-purposed them. We bought three of them each measuring 36" long by 24" deep by 15" high. Optimum seating height is between 18" and 20" so after we add a cushion, we should be right on target. We picked out our favorite type of door - I think there might have been about 5 styles to choose from - and set off home. It took us about 1.5 hours to set everything up. I like to think of myself as an Ikea builder master - the fiance... not so much. Like I said, not the most handy of handymen. In total we spent $393.00 (before tax) for the cabinets, doors, and hinges.

(Pictures from Ikea)

We headed off to HomeGoods for pillows. I covet all things Pottery Barn, but sometimes my budget doesn't quite allow for splurges of that kind. I can always find something fab at HomeGoods and this time I got a real score. We picked up these high quality Pottery Barn look-a-like pillows at $30/pair. Great steal considering that's $15 a pillow. Just to compare, here's a Pottery Barn pillow at $35.50 each: Tonal Linen Flange Pillow.

We also grabbed a vase to put in the awkward corner space for our "sticks". Our "sticks" came courtesy of a 40% off coupon from Michael's Craft store. Never go to Michael's without a coupon... they have a new set of coupons every week and you'd be crazy not to take advantage. These "sticks" (I like to call them sticks in case you can't tell) cost us roughly $20 and look great in the corner between the wall and the windows.

The small wooden item is actually a crate from Michael's that I stained myself with two coats of wood stain. Sun bleach and then . Gives a great, rustic, beachy feel to the space. (Side note: I should really buy stock in Michael's)

My nearly finished product... it compliments our kitchen and we can finally have guests over for brunch or coffee. It's definitely my new favorite space.

Last week Emerson Fry debuted a sneak peek at their Warm Spring '14 line. The pieces just hit stores this past Tuesday and I couldn't be more in love with this line. If you haven't 'sneaked your peek' yet, you're missing out. The jersey Ts look comfy and sophisticated, and I've got my eyes on these tie sandals! The pairings of minimal pieces is stylish simplicity at it's finest. The "complex colors" layer well and can be matched interchangeably. Love, love, love. I've compiled a few of my favorite looks from their line below, but you can check out the full line at emersonfry.com

How to Decorate Open Kitchen Shelving

DIY Kitchen Nook (aka Banquette)

Emerson Fry Warm Spring '14

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