girly getaway: spa edition

Last weekend, my friend Kayt flew out to visit during her Spring Break. It turned into the ultimate girlfriend pre-baby getaway...So amazing and rejuvenating! All I can say is Marriott points rock {Thanks Terry + Nancy!}. We had a free night's stay at the Marriott resort in Sonoma {translation: gorgeous wine country}......And what are two tired pregnant/grad student girls to do with a little extra spending cash? Visit the spa, of course. I had the most relaxing massage + most needed pedicure. As I've said before, it's tough to reach those big stinky toes with a basketball baby in the way. I'd never been to a real spa before and I was completely blown away by the garden+soaking pools, posh locker room, the fireplaces, the luxurious robes, and oh yeah, the plush chaise lounge chairs. Pretty sure the only thing missing was someone to feed me grapes! We also did plenty of shopping, gabbing, and good food eating. I'm thinking it wouldn't be so bad to be so pampered and carefree like this every Friday-Sunday...Or maybe even once a year? Thanks Kayt, for the best weekend ever!

happy spring!

Hip, hip! Cute fabric buntings + Easter egg onesies, just in time to celebrate the first day of Spring. I've finally gotten around to stocking up my poor, neglected etsy shop. Good thing, too, because we all know that once baby gets here, things will be cra-razy for awhile. Anyway, it's been a busy little week around here...will update more tomorrow!

i sew!

Just 3 sewing classes down and I've already got a few projects to share!
Project 01. Made these PJ capris just in time for spring {and all of the lounging I'll be doing when baby comes!}. I used Amy Butler fabric and a teeny bit of aqua ric-rac to add some snazzy trim to the bottom. Project 02. A nursing cover for baby + me, based off of this tutorial. Although I'll admit it's a bit of a rip off of the Bebe Au Laits that retail for $35, I love that I custom made my own for just $10! {For those of you less immersed in the latest mama pop culture--nursing covers are the hip new way to discreetly breastfeed in public: they have an adjustable strap for your neck so a busy baby can't swat the blanket down, ample fabric to tuck around both of you, and most importantly, a wire/corset boning front and center so that you can look down, bond with baby, and see what's going on without the rest of the world joining you.}

the cutest lil apron there ever was

My friend Becca just made me the cutest apron! She gave it to me while she was here visiting and I made sure to wear it + break it in while whipping up a double batch of the yummiest cookies ever. In fact, I'm thinking I could wear it all day. Every day. I absolutely love the fact that it ties snugly at my neck + waist, because God knows how much I splash and spill on this baby belly in the kitchen! It's reversible with 2 sweet fabric patterns, designed specially for mixing it up. It's only drawback is that I can't decide which side I love more!

girlfriends

Last week, my amazing girlfriends Becca & Amy paid me a visit. We couldn't even remember the last time the 3 of us got together for some serious chilling + crafting time. Needless to say, this visit was long overdue! It was Bek's first time in Cali, so we hit some of my favorite spots in S.F. to make the adventure complete. Sometimes I forget that we live in one of the most gorgeous cities on the planet...That's why I genuinely love playing tour guide and discovering this place through new eyes again + again! We packed our days with the perfect balance of painting the town and embroidering t-shirts in front of the TV. {More on that later...}
Some of the week's highlights:
01. Lunch + wandering through the Ferry Building Farmer's Market
02. Desserts from Miette
03. Huge progress with our knitting projects
04. A breeze through Fisherman's Wharf & Ghiradelli Square {Advice: never spend more than 2 hours here when in San Francisco. There's so much more to see and do!!}
05. Lunch at Boudin sour dough bakery
06. A trip to the top of Coit tower on the brightest + clearest day for sweeping views of the city + beyond
07. Spotting a flock of bright green parrots on Telegraph Hill
08. A stroll around the Palace of Fine Arts {see pic above...we saw swans!}
09. Daily pots of tea
10. An afternoon in Union Square
11. Hunting for the perfect pair of skinny jeans at Macy's
12. Checking out the adorable boutiques + shops in Hayes Valley, Fillmore, and Union Street, some of my very favorite neighborhoods
13. Seriously hitting all of the thrift stores in the Mission
14. Inadvertently discovering Mission Statement, a tiny boutique coop of some of the coolest up-and-coming SF designers
15. Picnic in Golden Gate park in front of the Conservatory of Flowers
16. A stop at Peapod Fabrics + Britex, the stuff our dreams are made of
17. Dinners at the best Italian and Indian restaurants in our neighborhood
18. Thai + gelato with friends after church
19. {Multiple} trips to the beach
20. Taking advantage of free admission at museums...Gotta love the first few weekdays of the month!

Crafting our own souvenirs. Yeah, funny story. The entire weekend was so perfect and gorgeous and we couldn't stop obsessing about the fleet of sailboats sprinkled across the Bay. That's when we started jonesing for friends with yachts and time to take us sailing with them. And suddenly the idea was born: We needed t-shirts that said "I'd rather be yachting." 5% cool and 95% dorky, I know. But we each designed our own using fabric applique and embroidery and finished them up during the course of watching the Notebook and Mamma Mia! They actually turned out to look pretty stinking cute!



Our little boy is already a ladies' man!!

not showered. drenched.

My coworkers threw the most beautiful baby shower for me & another mama-to-be on Saturday. {Double showers = double fun!} I felt like I was in a magazine all afternoon...Something like Elle decor throws the cutest Better Homes & Gardens baby boy shower. Seriously, nurses know how its done! Me + Diana {due any day!}
Chocolate cupcakes for our baby K and vanilla for baby D. I love these little die cuts!! A coworker's friend made these, the elephants, and congrats banner above. This crafty girl is working on launching her own business, selling adorable custom paper party decorations. I'll fill you in with a link to an etsy shop or website when they're up!
Gorgeous!

I am so blessed to have the.best.coworkers.ever. It was so fun to see everyone again, after an entire month! I'd almost forgotten how much I miss these lovely ladies!! Each and every one are the sweetest, most supportive girls you'd ever meet...Not to mention genius life-saving nurses! I hope some of them come to visit us upstairs when we're hanging out in Labor & Delivery next month!!!

A sweet farewell: delicious sugar cookie favors! {Bottles, trucks, & onesies!}

belly show & tell: 34*weeks

It seems like life is flying at the speed of light lately. Is it really time for another belly show and tell? Guess so. I can't believe it's been a month since our last little pre-term labor scare that landed me neck-deep in anxiety and in the wonderful world of maternity leave at the same time. We're so so thankful that baby has decided to hang in for another month. Soon I can stop worrying about keeping him in and start worrying about how in the world I'll ever get him out.

It's all pretty exhilarating. And amazing. We are getting more and more jazzed about meeting this kiddo every day. I've been happily hauling my Dreft to the laundromat now and then, washing up all of his little sleepers, blankies, and onesies. Last week we even set up his little crib. I can't wait to fill in the last few missing pieces so I can take pics of his finished little nursery {corner}! :) But somehow all of these exciting preparations didn't jar me as much as the fact that my mom just booked a plane ticket to fly out and meet the little man. Reality check: I will not, I can not stay pregnant forever. {But sometimes I'm tempted to trade in my sleepless nights of reflux and bathroom breaks for sleepless nights of baby crying, feeding, + bonding.} It's weird to be making definite plans about life after his arrival! It's like this: I am due April 6. Easter is April 12, and I'm thinking it would make a cool story if he got here just before or on Easter Sunday. And my mom comes April 18...So he really needs to be here by then!! Cra-razy.

I just know that no matter how much we plan and prepare, our whole world will turn upside down and we'll be completely blown away by it all the day he is born. Such big changes are headed our way. Goodbye freedom, girlish figure, sleeping in, and other childless luxuries. Hello stinky diapers, sleep deprivation, and motherhood OCD. But I also have a feeling that it's going to be the best thing ever. I have faith that God is blessing us big time here. Am trusting that He knows what He's doing; sending us this little babe at the exact right time in our lives...Even though I feel like we are both still babies! And I'm praying that He'll fill us up with all of the love, patience, strength, and wisdom we need to raise this little guy. I know it won't be easy, but I'm feeling up for the challenge. It's going to be such a ride. I can't even wait.

project du jour

It's been a busy little week around here and I must confess, I've been one holed up busy bee. I was determined to meet my goal and conquer a project a day this week...Even if that meant being asocial & avoiding the temptations and distractions of blogland as much as possible, because free time is a terrible thing to waste. {Hard core, I know!} So as a reward, here I am lumping together one big post of a week's worth of adventures:
{Monday:}
Slaving over catching up on baby thank yous. Why am I even complaining? It's safe to say that our little man will be born with a silver spoon in his mouth. I can't even believe all of the baby gifts (and therefore thank you notes!) we've received already, with just one shower down and 2 to go! And the babe hasn't even made his debut yet!! We're feeling beyond blessed by all of the precious little baby things + loving cards coming our way. It feels a little bit like getting married all over again; it's one sweet way to start a family. And I feel like making extra-cutesy handmade thank yous is the least I can do in return. {Chartreuse stationery, buggy & thank you stamps, striped paper all from Paper Source!}

{Tuesday:}
Tuesday night sewing classes are fully underway! And am having such a blast. Meeting some cool new girls in my class. Feeling super excited and inspired by the possibilities that lie within my sewing machine. Picked up this book last weekend at Barnes and Noble, mostly for its pretty pictures and also for its variety of straightforward, practical patterns. So far I love it! My only gripe is that the patterns are all lumped together on two big pages. That means get out your tracing paper! {Annoying, but worth it for such cute patterns.} I am starting out by making a quick pair of PJ pants with this cute Amy Butler fabric. Then moving on to baby projects galore! Can't wait! Ooh, and I've just learned that Lotta Jansdotter is coming out with a book of baby sewing projects later this spring. I am dying to get my hands on it...
{Wednesday:}
I'm on a mission to get Jeff's life history nailed down in a photo album. His mom had a great start on his first 6 years, but unfortunately that album took a lickin' with all of the years of love {and moves} it endured. So I've started over at day 1, and am hoping to speed through the rest of his years before it's time to start archiving our baby's life! I'm averaging approximately 2 years, 10 pages, and one roll of adhesive per day. :) It's been so fun spending time with all of his kiddy pics. I've just been daydreaming, wondering if his son will have the same cute expressions, or the same little habits {e.g. his munchkin trademark of cozying up with 2 left fingers in mouth, right hand in hair}. Am using the 12x12 Martha Stewart albums from Michael's. They seem really classic and durable, and so far, so good!{Thursday:}
Got out of the house and got into a little trouble...I needed to make a quick run to Target and found myself at the maternity store in the mall doing a little damage. {Dear Jeff, I know I only have a month and a half to go, but wearing the same clothes every week was killing me. I promise this was the last shopping spree. I promise to be cute + content for the rest of this pregnancy...And look at the bright side, I have a jumpstart on my wardrobe for baby #2!} Round out the afternoon with a little Jamba Juice, {my newest little obsession is Pomegranate Heart Happy}, and my day was pretty much bliss.
{Friday:}
Starting on Thursday night, I curled up on the couch for Office + E.R. and set out to breathe life into another batch of monkeys. Finished them up this afternoon in between yoga + hanging out w/ Jeff. :) And this, the newest generation will have velcro on their hands to make more monkey mischief with. I still need a few as personal gifts + a special order brewing, but I am still planning to add a monkey or two to the etsy shop (along with some other fun goodies) in the next few weeks!!

chasing elephants

My amazing forever friend, Steph just opened up one of the hippest new etsy shops I've seen in awhile. It's called Chasing Elephant Tracks and its filled with handmade bags and wallets in mod Amy Butler fabrics like this one. Seriously, I can't rave enough about her designs! This girl has been sewing since forever, so I know everything is extremely well-made. Get them while they're hot!

24 birthdays later.

1. It is Jeff's birthday today! 2. He is my best friend + sweetest husband ever. 3. He loves Batman. 4. His favorite tool is a Nikon D80. 5. He is the only person who remembers to charge my cell phone at night. 6. He has the world's largest appetite. Together, we have the world's cleanest fridge, sans leftovers. 7. He loved his blueberry pancakes this a.m. 8. He loves the cinema. 9. He is a hard-core libertarian. 10. He wouldn't mind naming our son Ron Paul. 11. He reads 900-page books like Man, Economy, and State by Murray Rothbard just for fun. 12. He's 99% on time for everything, except when I am being a slow-poke or when random acts of God are involved. 13. He doesn't mind cleaning bathrooms. 14. His favorite TV show is Man vs. Wild. 15. He hates those dinky little Smart Cars people drive around here. 16. He loves kitties. And I'm not joking. 17. He has our credit card numbers {and just about any other identifying number} memorized. That is so freakishly cool. 18. He's a pretty good back scratcher. 19. He's beat me at any game we've ever played together, but sometimes he lets me win tennis matches. 20. He loves naps. 21. He wants to be a film maker when he grows up. 22. He can drink espresso after 7pm. 23. He has a butt chin. 24. I love him more every day.