Monday, November 26, 2012

Getting in the spirit

After spending a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, today is especially hard to be back in the office.  My niece just knocks my socks off with cuteness- I can't get enough of her!

But, with the holiday spirit officially in the air, there are lots of things to look forward to:
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My pandora station will be permanently fixed on Christmas music.
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Holiday hot cocoa with marshmallows and candy canes are now perfectly acceptable. 
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Holiday cards to give and receive!  This year I bought some of this ribbon to try to recreate this idea. 
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Decorating the house.  I started added few sprigs of holly and some red candles and hope to get our tree in the next week or so. 

What are you doing to get in the holiday spirit?

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Feeling thankful

On the eve of Thanksgiving 2012, I find myself filled with appreciation. There are so many things for us to be thankful for this year.  A healthy, happy, and growing family top my list.  We're also thankful to our friend and photographer, Kristen Montgomery, for capturing these images for us to commemorate such a special time in our lives.


If you're in the Charlotte area and looking for someone to capture your family, contact Kristen here

P.S. Readers interested in following along on our more family related adventures are welcomed to join us over on our new blog, The Leandersons.  

Monday, November 19, 2012

Seeing Red

I had the sweetest email from my Aunt after posting my nursery inspiration last week.  She shared that red is thought to be a stimulating color for babies and that adding it to the nursery had her vote.  Knowing that she used Marimekko  animal fabric in a red colorway and red buffalo check for my cousins nurseries inspired me to round up a collection of crimson-infused ideas. 
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And I know this is non-decor related, but this red gingham dress is the sweetest thing I've ever seen for a little girl!
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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Nursery Ideas

I've been toying with a million different ideas for our little one's nursery.  But the general direction was dictated by a color palate that I just kept coming back to-- if you follow me on pinterest, you may know what I mean.
Blue, white and red with touches of black and khaki make up the color story. The goal is to hopefully create a room that doesn't read too baby, but is cozy and tranquil enough for an infant.  Here are some things I'm drawn to so far.  

Monday, November 12, 2012

Baked Cinnamon French Toast

Indulging my pervasive pregnancy craving for cinnamon buns/bread was the catalyst for this recipe.
I started with cinnamon chip bread from  Great Harvest.
And then let it sit overnight with milk, egg and vanilla.  In the morning, I popped it in the oven for 20 minutes and voila- the perfect breakfast.  What I love most about this casserole of sorts is that it keeps you from being bound to the stove and makes multiple servings of perfectly done french toast en mass.

Baked Cinnamon French Toas t {adapted from alexandra's kitchen}
(serves 2, but can easily be doubled)
4 pieces of bread cut into pieces that will fit into your chosen dish
softened butter (enough to butter your bread)
1 egg
1/3 cup of heavy cream
1/3 cup of almond milk
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons of sugar

Directions:
1) Butter your desired dish, then cut bread into strips.  Butter one side of your bread then arrange buttered side up in your dish
2) Whisk together egg, milk, cream, vanilla and pinch of salt then pour over bread. Let sit overnight in the refrigerator
3) Preheat oven to 425 degrees and sprinkle a bit of sugar over the top of your french toast
4) Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top (this ensures that you're not eating soggy french toast)
5) Serve immediately with syrup and desired toppings

Friday, November 9, 2012

Weekend Wishes


Happy Friday dears!  I'm looking forward to the weekend ahead, you?!

  • I hope to get some paper whites planted so they will be ready for a Christmastime appearance 
  • Looking forward to a date night with M! He pre-ordered tickets to see the new Bond in Imax 
  • I'm on the hunt for a lantern style ceiling light to spray paint red like in the little boys room above
  • Prepping for Thanksgiving has my wheels turning.  I'd like to brine our turkey this year- this one looks good. Any tips?!
  • This street style shot has maternity style taken up a notch; I need a faux fur vest like yesterday
Whatever you get up to, I hope you have a good one! xx

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Maternity Essentials So Far

Just shy over the 1/2 way mark in my pregnancy, I've collected a few maternity favorites.  So far, I've really enjoyed being pregnant, but it does come with some challenges and these essentials have been the items that have made it easier.

Garden of Life Coconut Oil is my favorite brand.  Not only is this extra virgin and organic, but it is by far the best smelling brand I've tried so far.  I've used coconut oil as my everyday moisturizer since finding out I was pregnant.  I have been slathering my belly everyday, and so far no stretch marks.  Plus this is the only thing that seems to quench the insatiable itchiness that has come with my dry, stretching skin. 
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Ingrid & Isabele Everyday Cami in nude.  It's so comfortable that I have ended up wearing it under everything. Its a great length and while it grows with you, it will also likely be a post-maternity wardrobe staple too. 
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Of all the baby books I've read thus far, Bringing Up Bebe has been my favorite.  I know it has it's fair share of controversy, but the non-nuratic approach to pregnancy and parenting was a welcome respite to the loads of books that scare you about every.single.thing. that could go wrong. 

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Dry hair shampoo is a necessity for those mornings when I just can't fathom getting up earlier to wash my hair.  This saves me time in the morning and allows me to stretch a blow dry for 2 days {which my hairdresser encourages me to do anyway}.  

Tip: The secret to powdering your hair is doing it at night because it absorbs all the oils over night and you don't have to worry about having white in your hair the next morning.  While I've been using drug store brands, my next purchase will be this talc-free version that comes in nice sounding fragrances. 

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Accessories.  So much of my maternity wardrobe is gray/black/white as to be as mix and match as possible.  I read somewhere that eye-catching earrings are the pregnant ladies best accessory as it draws attention up to your glowing face.  Well, I'll tell you what. Even on the days I haven't felt so "glowy", it's nice to have something sparkly to detract from the belly once and a while.  These have been in high rotation.  
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Staying hydrated is less daunting with my soda stream.  Sparkling water is a snap and I've learned that a little splash of pineapple juice or pomegranate juice makes the non-cocktail a lot more fun.  
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Keeping up with my workout routine has been a challenge to say the least.  Walking and pre-natal yoga   mixed with this DVD keep me feeling sane.  I love that Suzanne breaks the workout into three sections so if you're tired you can do just the standing moves, just the mat moves or the stretching each about 20 minutes each. 
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Please leave a comment with your essentials- I'd love to hear! 

Monday, November 5, 2012

Pumpkin Pie Dip

This dessert highlights the best of holiday flavors.  Fluffy pumpkin pie flavored dip is perfectly paired with crisp gingersnaps bringing you Thanksgiving and Christmas all in one bite {with half the effort}!

I made this pre-Halloween and paired it with cinnamon graham crackers which was delicious, but the gingersnap combo seems to be the winner around here.
Pumpkin Pie Dip
16 oz whipped cream
5 oz package of instant vanilla pudding
15 oz pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Directions:
1) In a large bowl combine the vanilla pudding mix, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. Gently fold in the whipped cream then put in the fridge until serving.

**This is a perfect make-ahead dessert as the flavors were better the second day.