Our Nest Is Expanding

So, for the past several weeks I have had great intentions of posting about the changes happening in our lives, but for one reason or the other my intentions have not become a reality...until today. Well, we are expecting our first baby and I am super close too...as in about a month away from my due date! We are so excited and feel so blessed about this wonderful gift! I have had a very smooth pregnancy, I've really enjoyed it actually, and I feel so grateful for that because I know that's definitely not the case with many women. We have been super busy preparing for our little baby that will be here very soon. The nursery was painted weeks ago, the crib is assembled, and the other furniture pieces have been put in their places, I just have the final touches to wrap up and I can't wait to share some photos when it is all complete! :)

I apologize in advance if I'm boring y'all to tears, but if you're at all interested in seeing how my pregnancy has been coming along, I've posted some pictures below from over the past eight months (wow, that's a long time!)...

Matt, the day we found out our big news!

Me and one of my best friends at her baby shower. I'm about two months here.

Us at Thanksgiving. I'm about three months along.

 New Year's 2012! About 4 months along here.

20 weeks - halfway!

This does not pertain to this post, but I just wanted to share a picture of this cute beach chair Matt got me for my birthday in January! I can't wait to use it soon!

23 weeks

25 weeks

26 weeks

27 weeks

The four pictures above are all at a little over 28 weeks.

31 weeks

 32 weeks along. This was when my big baby shower was. It was incredible and I had the best time!

Easter Sunday - a little over 33 weeks!

I don't have much longer now and Matt & I can't wait to meet our little baby!

oxox,

lauren

Spring Is In The Air

I have been loving the weather that we've been having! It has felt like spring and actually a lot of times like summer for several weeks now! Our winter was actually very mild compared to last year and nothing to complain about, but I am loving all of the blooms and flowers and green grass sprouting up all over. Easter is a little more than a week away and I've had our decorations up for a little while now, so I thought I would share a few pictures from around our house...

Happy Easter and Happy Spring! :)

oxox,

lauren

Oscar Fashion Favorites 2012

Last night - along with many, many others, I tuned into the Oscars to see all of the dazzling gowns and jewels. There were not any crazy shockers just lots of pretty gowns and shoes and jewels. Here are my favorites from last night's evening...

Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab. Far and away my favorite. I think she looked flawless from head-to-toe.

Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton. I'm always so excited to see what she will be wearing because I love her and I usually love what she choses to wear. That coral color is gorgeous and I absolutely love that she carried an unexpected hot pink clutch! I also love her necklace and that brooch. The details on this gown are stunning!

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji. I love this gown alone and I love this gown on her. She was glowing. I also loved her acceptance speech.

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen. I'll admit, at first I was not crazy about this dress, but the more I looked a it, the more I liked it. Her hair and makeup looked incredible as well. She's just so pretty.

Glenn Close in Zac Posen. Perfection. She looked so good and was very age appropriate. 

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford. I mean she always looks good. I have mixed feelings about the cape and hair, but she looks great.

Maya Rudolph in Johanna Johnson. From the hair to the dress - I loved it all.

Tina Fey in Carolina Herrera. I was hoping she would chose something other than a dark color, but let's be honest, she looked fantastic.

Viola Davis in Vera Wang. I'm obsessed with the color and the detailing on the bottom of this gown. I do not love the fit of the top though...a bit too tight.

Lastly, Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace. She always looks incredible, but the posing was over the top. To present an award and then have one of the winners mimic the pose you're trying so hard to stay in was hilarious to me. She looked great, I just wish she had not tried to make the slit in her dress so glaringly obvious all night.

oxox,

lauren  

*All images courtesy of Harper's Bazaar

Hugs & Kisses

Wow! I can't believe I have not blogged in over two months! I hope y'all are doing well! I have been so busy and life just got the best of me! So many exciting things have been going on, but more on that on a later day! :)

Well, Valentine's Day is tomorrow. I love Valentine's day for the fun of it. We don't do a big to-do for Valentine's day - no crowded, over-priced dinner out - more like romantic home cooked meal in our own home, just the two of us - sounds perfect. I hope your Valentine's day is lovely, however you chose to celebrate it (or not)!

Of course I decorate for Valentine's Day! Here is the Valentine's Day wreath I made last month for our front door.

So cute.

I made this Valentine's Day garland last year

Pretty. Pretty.

Sweet Valentine's Day cookies. Love the colors.

I love homemade Valentines!

oxox,

lauren

*Wreath and garland photos courtesy of me. All other images courtesy of Pinterest.

Gift Ideas 2011

It's that time of the year, the time to put up decorations, spend time with family, and shop for everyone on your list. Yesterday when I woke up to snow flurries falling outside, it felt official to me, it's beginning to feel and look a lot like Christmas! Our house has been decorated for a couple of weeks now and all of my shopping is near complete, but I have a lot of wrapping to do and not much time to do it! Even though this time of the year is so so busy and hectic at times, I adore Christmas and this year happens to be really special to me. If you still have a shopping list so long it makes your eyes cross, maybe I can help you out with some gift ideas (hopefully there's at least one to suit someone on your list)!...

For Her...

 Either one of these stunning necklaces is sure to make any girl on your list one happy lady!

Hello super cute tote bag :)

Such a lovely notepad for any list-making girl you have to shop for

Personalized gifts are extra thoughtful, such as one of these fun iPhone cases

 Cute gift idea for any bakers on your list

A really cute hat so she can stay warm

Or some fun slippers, I mean what girl does not like to be comfortable?!

Another notepad that will surely make her smile

Pretty wrist candy

For Him...

Last year I gave my husband a really nice bottle of whiskey along with these Whiskey Rocks and he really enjoys them because they don't dilute his drink.

Great for the iPad lover

Perfect for the golfer, he can bring it to his office or have it to practice at home.

For Them or The Hostess...

Gorgeous gold triangles glasses

A great set of cheese knives

A pretty picture frame is always a good option

Happy Holiday shopping!

oxox,

lauren

*Pretty gold necklace, gorgeous turquoise necklace, chevron striped tote bag, floral notepad, personalized phone cases, wood handled whisk, Small Sweet Treats cookbook, polka-dot hat, moccasin slippers, cute whale notepad, sparkly bracelet, Whiskey Rocks, iPad DODOcase, automatic-return portable putting cup, sparkling gold glasses, set of cheese knives, round picture frame