Cha-cha-changes!

Whelp, a lot has happened since the last post in July... I got a new day gig, we sold our DC house annnnnd we have moved across the country to HELENA, MONTANA! These past three months have been quite the whopper but the Hubs and I are taking it in stride and finally starting to catch our breath. Things we've learned along the way...

1. Moving is THE worst. Because our ultimate goal is to end up in Bozeman (MT) after the Montana legislative session, our move has been a bit more complicated. Our stuff will arrive Election Day in two places - some things going to storage in Bozeman and some things coming to our rented furnished condo in Helena. We're crossing our fingers AND toes the division of our goods goes smoothly...

2. Henry IS Henry. Despite all the change, Henry continues to smile and roll with whatever comes

(*Image Credit)

his way. He's no longer in a nanny share and had his first day of daycare last week. As expected, Henry loves interacting with ALL the other kids and ALSO has a wicked cold - which we also anticipated. 

3. Change is HARD. Although our longterm plan has been to return west, we were unprepared for our move to happen this year. There are only a few opportunities in my home state of Montana that size up to where I want my career to advance. So when the call came, we got our affairs in order, threw in a penny for luck and hit the road but that does NOT mean it's been easy. Every day has been HARD work.

4. Woodley IS Woodley. Despite his years and wise (looking) gray beard, our high anxiety dog Woodley continues to be high anxiety and needs time to adjust. Unfortunately, we learned this the hard way... AGAIN! Halloween dinner cost us some interior car upholstery and our only warm bedding (AKA our down comforter). But don't worry, we learned our lesson and are now the weirdos parked around the corner spying on our dog via baby monitor...

5. It's OKAY to rely on your people. I am fiercely independent and do not like having help from others. It doesn't matter if you're family, friends or a complete stranger. I'm the person who yelps "I've got this!" while balancing a baby, all the groceries and rapidly typing an email on my phone. But sometimes it's okay to accept help. Although this a lesson I'm still trying to learn. I think it's important in order to not sweat the small stuff.

6. CRY, it helps. This transition has been nothing but H-U-G-E and shedding a few tears makes it a little more bearable. We left DC when one of our dearest friends became pregnant and I envisioned us buggying our littles together around town... When I finally felt like I had gotten a routine as a working mom... When we felt settled in our house and loved every nook and cranny... We left DC and our Sunday Suppers with the Hubs' parents which elevated DC to feel like home. So let those tears run guuuurl, you need it!

7. Buy ALL the warm stuff. Yep, we moved from a warmish east coast fall and it's now full on fall/winter in Montana (i.e. snow this week --eeek!) I finally will admit my decade on the other coast has really made me a wuss and I have not invested in pieces other than "city warmers." Time for this mama to go shopping and get practical!

8. When in doubt, DRESS your baby as a fawn. But seriously. Halloween came at just the right time and we dressed our little dude as a fawn, which is western speak for baby deer. And GAHD DAMN IT, Henry was the cutest thing and continues to don his costume because it's the only warm thing we own that fits him. #HalloweenForever 

9. Get your nails done. For real. Get your nails done, fluff that hair and put on your armor. Life is freaking scary and you better believe it's easier to face what's coming when you feel prepared!

10. Worry LESS (or do something about it!) Worrying less is not my forte so instead I've become a master at re-chaneling energy. This means... scared about the election? Go out and canvass. Anxiety not letting you sleep? Go for a hike. Easier said than done but it's worth a try...

Later Gators...

2018 Family Photos

You guys! I'm back and here to say we survived our two and half week adventure in Europe with our three month old! The Hubs, Henry and I took on three countries (Austria, France and Germany) in 15 days and although we're now battling some serious jet lag, it was worth every minute!

Buuuuut hold up... More on that later... For now, please enjoy a selection of our family photos from an intimate morning with Rebecca Thornton Photography. Throwing it back to when Henry was just 10 weeks old (insert ugly cries here...!!!) Thank you Rebecca for capturing ALL the L-O-V-E of our little family.

Happy Thursday folks and keep it here for a quick roundup of our epic overseas tour soon to come!! 

Paris Bound

It's happening, my goodness, it's happening! In just a little over a week, the Hubs, Henry and I will be en route to Paris at last - SQUEE! Originally we'd planned to become francophiles last November in celebration of our baby on the way. But due to unforeseen pregnancy complications, we chose to postpone our trip. Now with our little bundle in tow, we're heading out for a grand European adventure!

So m'dears... Here's our to-do list... Although Henry and I will be first timers, we already know in our hearts... "Paris is always a good idea!"

+ FOOD
Berthillon // Luxury ice cream and sorbet.. Need I say more?!
BigLove // We've heard the pizza is not to miss!

Cafe de Flore // Apparently this little restaurant is one of the oldest coffee houses in Paris and wine on the terrace is simply divine.
Cafe Ineko // Quaint with enough beautiful little dishes and decor to be featured in Vogue?! OKAY...

Claus // Many have claimed this joint offers the best croissants in the city.
East Mamma // For ALL the pasta!

Le Comptoir General // A quintessential french setting for cocktails. Time Out says "FIVE STARS!"
Le Madonnina // One of the Hubs' picks, and supposedly "REAL bomb!"
Le Pain et Des Idees // A fine traditional bakery to eat bread and more.
PaperBoy // Boasting to have one of the best brunches in Paris.
Rose Bakery Tea Room au Le Bon Marche // I'm not always a girl for sweets but the carrot cake is supposedly awe inspiring!
Telescope // Coffee... (!!!)

+ ACTIVITIES
Eiffel Tower // Duhhhh... enough said! And yes, I imagine us taking in the view via picnic!
Louvre // A newbies must see...
Love Lock Bridge // Apparently all the love locks have been removed. Is it worth being a law breaker?
Musee d'Orsay // Set in an old train station, this museum hosts many of the classics.
Musee de l'Orangerie // "The water lilies. American abstract and the last Monet."
Musee des Arts Décoratifs // Sadly we missed the Christian Dior exhibition but the current Hermes exhibition has piqued my interest...
Musee National Picasso // Because Picasso (!!!)
Musee Yves Saint Laurent // A true fashion icon, we must pay our respects in his home city.
Palais-Royal Gardens // A summertime visit means a walk through these gardens is at the top of my list!
Place des Vosges // The oldest planned square in Paris.
Sacre Coeur and Montmarte // A grand church with architectural features like woah.
Sainte- Chapelle // You don't need religion to know this little chapel is tops!
Versailles // Another duhhhh... enough said!
Walks // We're gate checking our umbrella stroller and packing our walking shoes. For starters, I hope to explore the Marias neighborhood also known as the Jewish quarter, the Rue Rambuteau and the youthful and energetic neighborhood of St. Germain...

+ SHOPS/GOODS
Colette // Apparently "the trendiest store in the world!"
Dries Van Noten // To look, not buy - OBVIOUSLY! The online preview? ($$$$$).
Goyard // I love the color play and pattern of their totes. Goyard truly lives colorfully!
Lemaire // French women and menswear that hints at Need Supply's clean and simple style.
Maison de Vacances Home Design // You don't need to speak french to know this home goods shop is all about vacation style.
Merci // A little bit of everything for everyone... home goods, womenswear and menswear.
Petite Bateau // For ALL the basics for Henry's closet!

+ STAY
Hotel Fabric // The Hubs booked this boutique hotel given its central location and room layout that can easily host three!

Our list is sure to grow... Especially as I page through Vanessa Grall's Don't be a Tourist in Paris! But seriously... be a dear and add your additions below!

*Image Credit.

Life by Design

BLUE hydrangeas

The Hubs hung this framed abstract calendar page to continue the celebration of Henry

Mosquito season is here, which means our hydrangea beuts are heading indoors

Our youngest member of the family is officially TWO MONTHS (!!!)

Life lately has included heaps of hydrangeas and M-I-L-K (or as the Hubs calls it, "boob gold")! I've frankly been shocked and awed by the production of both these items. The silver-lining to all our May showers? Our hydrangeas have been growing gangbusters and are BLUE! You guys! We planted these bushes six years ago but after the first year, the flowers turned Pepto-Bismal pink. I've been battling ever since to get back my blue beauties by adding supplements to the dirt, burying a rusty nail (a total Pinterest fail) and reading up on gardening. And then this year... nothing, I did NADA and now our hydrangeas are blue AND bigger and better than ever!

While the hydrangeas have been growing, Henry too has been gaining on the charts. We celebrated two months this week and all the giggles, smiles and poo that goes with it! It's also a FACT that at our two month wellness appointment, our pediatrician was blown away by the volume of my milk production and my Hubs (completely fascinated by my new skill) glowed with PRIDE. 

On a final note... We love this little boy beyond and keep hoping time will slow down but our dude keeps on sprouting! Don't want to miss a a beat? Follow our Instagram stories to see what trouble little H and I are getting into on the daily! 

Weekday/end Musings

EATING // Frozen dairy! Whether it's ice-cream or gelato, Henry and I are touring DC's best frozen treats to beat the heat during my maternity leave. Favorites include Jeni's for ALL the flavors (14th Street NW), Pitango Gelato for pistachio and local rhubarb (Capitol Hill), MilkBar for cereal milk soft-serve with sprinkles and the cornflake crunch - OBVIOUSLY (City Center) and Bon Matcha for Matcha soft-serve (19th and I Street NW). SQUEEE! And have you heard DC is soon to have a MilkBar flagship that will roll out experimental desserts weekly? I think I found a new side gig... Chief of the Test Kitchen! The flagship opens THIS Saturday (June 2nd) so watch out!

HOME*WORK // The silver-lining to our east coast torrential rain is that our flowers are near perfect. Last year, we missed our blooms but this year our hydrangeas are on fleek! Don't believe

PSA: happy life, happy wife... happy mommy! Graphic via Letters are Lovely.

me?! See here as "Exhibit A." 

CRUSHING ON // DC's new Line Hotel. While my bestie Nicole was visiting, we finally made the trek to this former Christian Science church now hotel and OMG... It is everything I dreamed of and more! If the Line wasn't in the most inconvenient neighborhood in the city (Adam's Morgan is kind of the worst) - I would be there today, tomorrow and always! Of course we ate at Eric Bruner-Yang's Brothers and Sisters... That Potato Rosti Eggs "Benedict"... Yeah... No matter that parking is like poking your eyes with needles, I can't wait to return! Even to just lounge in the space... The Line is beyond beautiful! 

READING // Per recommendation, I read All the Ugly Wonderful Things and loved this tragic story that ended with sunshine. As the divisions in our country seem to increase daily, this smartly written novel was a great reminder about how fortunate we are to have our life in DC and a healthy, happy little boy. It also highlights what truly matters - not money, not objects or possessions - but L-O-V-E!

THANKFUL FOR // The human body. Almost two months out from my c-section, I'm shocked at how fast my body has recovered. I hit my first workout class over the long weekend and my goodness did it feel great! Moderating myself and not over doing it remains tough but when I hop back on that yellow SoulCycle bike this weekend... It will take everything in me not to belt out Gloria Gaynor's "I will survive!"

THINKING ABOUT // I'm officially half way through my maternity leave and although I get a full 16 weeks home with my guy, it already feels too soon to go back at the end of July. Especially now Henry has started smiling. You guys! My heart nearly exploded with that first sign of his upturned lips. I just can't even! Please make time slow down... 

WATCHING // Eeeek the drive-in at Union Market is back for a new season! Weather permitting, tonight we'll be cuddled up with Henry watching Clueless. Click here to see what's playing next... 

WEARING // My new mom uniform. Always a fan of jeans and a t-shirt, I find myself wearing this classic pair on repeat. I'm currently obsessed with this soft tee from Cuyana and these distressed Frame jeans.

Summer Edit '18

Sorry for the delay in getting out my Friday post... I was up late last night texting with my bestie Paulo about how our SOs think they're cooler than us because they sometimes teach us things on Instagram and will call our photos trash and not good enough. The gall of our nerds. The. GALL. (!!!)

KNC Beauty Lip Mask  // Collagen - say what?! I've only used this collagen lip mask once and have a few more trials before I'm ready for a verdict but it's been a nice change of pace to have time to pamper. 

Liewood Holger Pram Chain Toy // This stroller panda string brings so much joy to our bambino. And you know Henry's current love for black and white has me swooning all day long!

Clare V. Bandana // In anticipation of our Paris junket in July, I've already been dreaming about what keepsake to bring home. I'll be a newbie to the croissant laden city but for some reason a silk scarf just says bonjour! Once we find THE scarf, I plan to have it framed to adorn our wall and remind us of our first family adventure as three f-o-r-e-v-er!

Vio Palm Pom Structured Tote // Every time I bring out this cheery straw tote, the Hubs rolls his eyes. But you guys! I can't tell you how much this bag makes my heart skip a beat, which means (duuuh) it's now on regular rotation #sorrynotsorry

Greenwich's Ina Garten Card // Royal wedding, say what?! Sorry, I was too distracted by Ina, the domestic goddess! But in the interest of full disclosure, we no longer have cable so we watched Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell host the royal wedding via HBO Now and it was too funny! Have no fear though folks... You know I went deep on googling all the things about the new Duchess and Harry's nuptials. And damn was their ceremony gorgeous!

Soludos Knotted Linen Slides // We could not have timed our baby bundle's arrival better! My maternity leave will span both spring and summer so clearly these simple slides would be a hot addition to my closet!

Quay Australia Sunnies // Now we have an active boy on our hands, I'm ditching the Pradas for these sleek and cheap sunnies. Highly functional and ready for anything!

Crazy Rich Asians // I picked up this book in anticipation of its silver screen block buster and loved its Big Little Lies vibe. It's the perfect summer read and a trilogy... Heck YAAAS!

InvisiBobble Traceless Hair Ring // I'm anti-scrunchy for many reasons. Mostly because I hate 90s fashion and my hair is too thick to pull off a scrunchy as a mane-tamer. Buuuut these hair ties are my happy medium and a great option for wrangling my coif.

Madewell Skinny Overalls // My first attempt at breastfeeding in public was a bit of a comedy (and that's an understatement... Read on...) Needing a few supplies from CVS, the Hubs and I parked in a loading zone outside of the pharmacy for a quick minute. Baby Henry started to fuss while my dutiful Hubs was inside picking up a few items so I thought, "I can solve this!" Perhaps famous last words?! Regardless, I joined Henry in the tinted backseat area of our car, donned my full coverage nursing scarf and began to breastfeed. Not even five minutes in, I heard a knock on the car window. I proceeded to roll down the window a crack and was greeted by a uniformed police officer who promptly asked me where my parents were. Not able to utter anything more, I screeched - "I AM the parent!... I'm breastfeeding, Sir!!!" Immediately the officer reddened, told me to take my time and bolted away from the car after he said he almost ticketed us for parking in a loading zone - HAHA! I only wish I knew the officer's name because I want to dedicate these overalls to him and keeping my youthful glow!

Alrighty team, enjoy the long weekend - here's to rosé, sun and THREE days!!

Brief Assembly Pop-Up

It's easy to be ALL consumed by my little man (I mean have you seen how cute Henry is?!) But I stole an hour away - okay let's get real... 45 minutes - to explore a new pop-up shop in DC's Union Market District: Brief Assembly. As stated on the website, this untraditional concept features independent designers and makers who specialize in apparel, jewelry, accessories, lifestyle, beauty and home decor. 

This shop is just the latest to grace the urban factory neighborhood and it does not disappoint. Although a close sister to Salt & Sundry around the corner, the goods here remain individual and you won't see many - if any - repeats. Know the bohemian vibe feels familiar but even if this is Salt & Sundry 2.0, I'm sure to return. Whether it's for unique gifts for girlfriends or maybe even an item or two for the Hubs, me AND Henry... I'll be back!

The details...

HOURS // Th-F 12-7 / Sat 11-7 / Sun 11-6

ADDRESS // 1287 4th Street NE, Washington, DC 

WHEN // Now through July 1st, 2018

Life by Design

Henry's first museum and exhibit... Burning Man at the Renwick, obviously!

Our best shot at living colorfully (photo via Josh)

This boy and ALL the patterns (one month!!)

Henry's first dinner out... Little Pearl (get the mussels and the burger with your wine, enough said!)

Lately life has been in the fast lane but in a really old and slow minivan... Let me explain... My days are now broken up into three hour chunks devoted to feeding, changing and easing Henry into naps. While individual tasks seem slow, life is in warp speed. How is our beautiful boy already five weeks?! FIVE WEEKS! You guys, that seems impossibly long because I swear we just came home from the hospital. Somehow the calendar says otherwise but I'm still in denial...

Regardless of my conflict with time, I am 100% loving motherhood, maternity leave and being home together as a family. As predicted, we continue to stay busy with walks, dinners, museums, family and friends. We are truly smitten with our life by design.. now just to get this boy out into the woods!

Weekday Musings

With one month under our belts, I'm ready to get back into the swing of things with my adorable sidekick baby Henry! So bear with me while I dive back into the blogging game, I may be a little rusty...

EATING // Everythaannng! Y'all, I thought I was hungry when I was pregnant but that was before I'd ever breastfed. Holy buckets! Nothing prepared me for my constant desire to eat. As a consolation prize - it seems the more I eat, the more milk I produce... Winning, right?!

HOME*WORK // No surprise, our new addition requires a lot of stuff. Which means my work on the house right now is pretty basic - i.e. finding places to hide ALL the things so our house doesn't become THAT house. You guys know what I'm talking about... Today, I pledge to maintain some sense of style and design regardless of the baby gyms and play mats. Please keep me accountable!

CRUSHING ON // Gwyneth Paltrow and the Goop Podcast. You guys! It's fire. Her first episode is an interview with Oprah... OPRAH! Load it up on your phone ASAP. Word on the street is that listening to this podcast goes well with coffee and/or rose!

READING // Orlando Soria's Get it Together. This book is laugh out loud funny and the perfect read while Henry naps or feeds. Yes, it's a design book but it's also about life and in the words of the wise Tim Gunn... making "it work!" Plus Orlando himself is just awesome, follow him on Instagram for an instant social media feed brighter, this guy is GOLD!

THANKFUL FOR // My growing mom tribe. The sisterhood among moms is strong. Through social media and technology, I've reconnected with so many mom friends near and far. The outpour of love and support for this new adventure was unexpected but I count my lucky stars because these wonderful ladies have given me strength on the hard days and also helped me learn to celebrate the small wins.

THINKING ABOUT // After reading Bringing up Bebe, the Hubs and I are much more conscious about how we parent Henry. We are working on not becoming American helicopter parents and  maintaining a version of our previous no child lifestyle which means continuing to meet friends out, a daily walk at the Congressional Cemetery and going out to eat. We know it may not always be possible but we also know that these are the things that make our daily lives full so here goes nothing!

WATCHING // Handmaid's Tale. Admittedly, the first season of this show sucked us in with its dystopian state and our parallel worries given the last major election. And now with season two, we're back in... Despite our growing annoyance with June and her carelessness, we look forward to Hulu's new episode release every Wednesday.

WEARING // All the beauty products. While pregnant, I created an extensive list of beauty products I wanted to try during maternity leave - including everything from liquid eyeliner to these collagen lip masks everyone and their mother seems to be raving about... And thanks to AmazonPrime, the arsenal of goods has arrived. As I work my way through these new beauty products, look for my reviews and advice here... My critiques may not be as titillating as a Bravo Housewives reunion but I PROMISE to be honest - no sponsorships here (although if you want to sponsor anything, contact me! Seriously... my email is mrsonhst@gmail.com)

* Image credit and inspiration via Anthony Burrill. We love Mr. Burrill's "Work Hard and Be Nice to People" and may just NEED this one for our walls too!

Henry Philip Fenn

On April 3rd at 3:14 pm, Dan and I welcomed our baby boy Henry Philip Fenn into this world at 7 lbs even and 20 and a half inches long. Our hearts could not grow more and we couldn't be more thrilled. We've planned for and awaited his arrival for more than the 9 months he grew in my belly, and now that he's finally here our family feels complete.

We've hunkered in these first two weeks but as a trickle of family and friends have come to the house to meet Henry, we can't help but smile ear to ear. Every first feels monumental, every hiccup worth recording and my goodness is my iPhone storage stretched to the max!

The Hubs and I settled on Henry simply because we both loved the name but Henry's middle name has more meaning. Philip is the name of my late father and it only seemed fitting our strong and sweet miracle boy take his name.

Thanks to all who have supported us on this journey to build our family, we are shamelessly smitten!

Bebe Fenn Room Reveal

Promise delivered! We're finally ready to reveal our coming baby boy's room and we could not be more excited... at 39 weeks - EEEEPP! This project was one of my favorites because with a room for a baby really anything goes. Both the Hubs and I are generally turned off by typical baby room decor so we tried to marry our modern tastes with a few whimsical pieces to add some flair and keep it personal!

First we grounded the room with a great crib that will grow with baby. Although on the spendy side, we received this crib as a shower gift from my mom and stepdad and couldn't be more thrilled with its look and functionality. Read more about the Stokke Sleepi here. Next we added this graphic black and white rug from Room & Board. An item that could have been on the expensive side but we snagged at over 50% off after Room & Board's annual floor sample sale that starts the day after Christmas.

Our next challenge to conquer was darkening the room. Although there is just one single window, it makes the room extra bright despite a pull shade. I'm not a big fan of curtains but gave in because whelp... we want to sleep eventually. First, I ordered these navy and white buffalo checked panels from Land of Nod (now Crate & Kids). The pattern was fun but the material felt like a shower curtain and that just simply would not do! So after scrounging the internet for what felt like a year, I landed on these jacquard curtains from Anthropologie and have no regrets. The curtain panels add the extra texture we were looking for. And if it's not the curtains that lull our little guy to sleep, maybe the stuffed animal heads from Serena & Lily?!

The next item I'm still pinching myself over is our Eames Molded Rocker. You guys, we finally own an original Eames!!! Gahhh it's just stunning and still makes my tummy flutter every time I open the door. We were lucky to receive this item as a Christmas gift from the Hubs' parents and can't wait to get it into action even if it means in the wee hours of the morning.

Now to a few details... Like these tiny yellow Hunter rain boots we can't wait to get muddy, a print honoring Montana to pay homage to my home state and the sweet paper mache dog from Haiti to inspire us all to keep exploring. All gifts from friends that make the room welcoming and feel like a big hug. The library continues to grow too, which we now dig into every night to help quell our excitement so we take advantage of our last days of sleeping through the night.

Woodley waiting out his little brother's arrival... OR maybe just enjoying the plush graphic rug :)

For other sources, check out my post about the plans for this room here. And if your questions aren't answered there, please feel free to ask below.

* All photos but that of our Woodley boy are by Josh - bestie and Josh of Paulo and Josh's Great Adventure - make the jump and read all about 'em - you won't regret it! Thanks for capturing our new little nook, we love you to the moon and beyond!

One Night in Richmond

Quirk's Maple and Pine restaurant looking through to the lobby. 

With less than a month before we become three, the Hubs and I decided to take a quick trip to Richmond, Virginia last weekend.

+ SATURDAY

After a two hour drive, we arrived in the heart of downtown Richmond at our hotel the Quirk. You guys! Quirk is bold and bright while also being sophisticated and inviting. I mean, check out their lobby (pictured above)! Since its opening in 2015, I'd been hearing tidbits here and there about this hotel and it did not disappoint. Working with local artists like Sarah Hand, the hotel feels like a fresh adventure with the potential of discovering something new in each corner whether you are taking in the Quirk Gallery, sneaking a moment at the boutique shop or simply waiting for the elevator.

One of the many portraits hung throughout the hotel by Sarah Hand.

We settled into our hotel room and returned to the lobby to hatch a plan for the rest of the afternoon and evening. From the Quirk we strolled down Broad Street and popped into a collection of recommended shops including Rider Boot Shop, which offers affordable handmade boots for both men and women, and Verdalina, a women's clothing shop that I must return to once I'm not pregnant! We then Uber'd to Need Supply Co. for some quick perusing before we walked to Stella's for an early dinner.

If you only have one night in Richmond, Stella's is the place to dine for dinner. This rustic yet modern greek restaurant sent us back to our honeymoon in Greece like no other meal has. To start, the grilled octopus was tender and not over dressed - just like we like it! And there was no judgement when I ordered my one and only glass of dry white wine while also double fisting water (because I still have pregnancy guilt despite being well into my third trimester- ha!) For dinner, the Hubs had the rockfish special and I simply couldn't resist the Shrimp Santorini. Another bonus of Stella's? Old movies play projected on the wall. Squee! Is there anything more romantic?

Veil Brewing's dry-hopped Czech style pilsner "Coalesce"

Post Stella's, full and happy, we quested out to Veil Brewing Co. for one last nightcap for the Hubs. We arrived just in time to miss the long line but still enjoyed the funky collection of taxidermy and our chic industrial surroundings. And always planning ahead, we snagged a four pack to bring back to the hotel. :)

+ SUNDAY

Paper, fresh-squeezed OJ and an almond milk latte at Maple and Pine- makings of a great day!

Waking up early, we breakfasted at the hotel's Maple and Pine. Nothing to write home about here. We'd hoped to brunch as the menu looked much more interesting but brunch is not served until 10:30 AM which was too late for this pregnant lady! Thankfully my almond milk latte was damn delicious and spending more time in the open lobby was of course a plus.

Terracotta Armored General

Packed up, we checked out of the hotel with minimal tears and drove to the Virginia Museum of Fine Art (VMFA) to see the Terracotta Army. This visiting exhibit spurred the trip planning and oh boy was it worth it! Although there are less than a dozen figures that have made the trek from China, each is unique and awe inspiring. I'm still baffled by the beauty of each piece and the fact that these soldiers and an accompanying horse are over 2,000 years old. The exhibit closes this weekend (March 11th), so if you're even thinking about it... get on it!

Jaume Plensa's "Chloe" at VMFA.

Before heading back to the car, we took a moment to walk through VMFA's outdoor sculpture garden where we came across "Chloe." This 24 foot tall sculptural head created by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa is a stunner and magically changes as you stroll past. Dreaming of our baby to be, we'll be back to VMFA during my maternity leave to enjoy this outdoor space and drink in more of the museum's offerings.

You'd think VMFA is where our weekend ended but no! Remember my growing tummy and need to constantly eat? We popped into Urban Farmhouse for a sandwich, stopped at Sugar Shack Donuts for a few sweet treats for the road and made it over to Belle Isle to take in the natural beauty of the James River Park System. 

The verdict on Richmond? I believe I've already shown my hand... but yes we'll be back with baby in tow!

+++

QUICK HITS

+ FOOD/DRINK
Stella's // Maple and Pine // Urban Farmhouse // Sugar Shack Donuts // Veil Brewing Co.
+ ACTIVITES
Belle Isle // Virginia Museum of Fine Art // Take a stroll down Broad Street and pop into a collection of eclectic shops
+ GOODS/SHOPS
Need Supply Co. // Rider Boot Shop // Quirk Gallery and Shop // Verdalina
+ WHERE TO STAY
Quirk Hotel

OUR TO DO LIST NEXT TIME...
The Jefferson for afternoon tea // Pop's Market on Grace // Brunch at Helen's // Riverfront Canal Walk // Black History Museum // Science Museum of Virginia // American Civil War Museum // Charm School Social Club for ice cream // Lucy's for lunch // Coffee at Lamplighter

Weekend Musings

EATING // Constantly. At 34 weeks and after a stomach flu and food poisoning, my hunger has definitely escalated! Who's been hitting the MacDonald's drive through for basic hamburgers? This girl! I'm normally pretty careful about what I put in my body (not to Gwyneth Paltrow "my body is a temple" level) but there is something about Mickey D's these days that is calling my name... And damn is it delicious!

HOME*WORK // We are just a few items away from having baby boy's room ready for the big reveal... And, you guys, I just can't wait! So much so I already gave you a preview here... Whoops!

CRUSHING ON // Cuyana's latest release for spring. I mean this sweater could be a great option for nursing and maintaining some sense of style and self, right? It's officially now on my postpartum wish list...

READING // David Sedaris's Theft by Finding (1977-2002). Although I have devoured many of his other books, this one isn't a winner for me and in some ways just makes me happy the man survived through some of the early years of these journals. I love David on NPR and especially on This American Life but this book has been a tough one to get through.  It's saving grace and why I keep reading? The entries are short so when I'm up in the middle of night with the baby on board, it's easy for me to read a few pages and put it down to get back into bed.

THANKFUL FOR // Our friends and family. The weekend before last was our baby shower and this baby could not be more loved. My two best friends from college, mom and mother-in-law hosted a magical afternoon full of great food and laughter. It was such a solid gathering of people from all parts of my life, it's something I'll never forget. Our journey to get here has not been the easiest but these are the people that gave us strength to keep one foot stepping in front of the other.

THINKING ABOUT // My lists and google docs. In these final weeks before baby's arrival, my love for such things has gotten a bit out of control. We still have so much to do but one way I destress is by drafting an action plan and carrying it out. Whether it's a trip to Ikea or Target, we're armed and ready and thank gahhhd for AmazonPrime!

WATCHING // The Bachelor... duh! Although the Hubs and I are not the biggest fans of Arie (I mean who isn't bored with him?!) We still look forward to this little unreal reality show each week. The travel alone this season is topnotch but we're looking forward to more drama. Speaking of drama, anyone watching the Bachelor Winter Games?

WEARING // Pajamas. At this point, PJs are what's most comfortable. I am in search of a new pair for my hospital bag but nothing I've seen thus far has sealed the deal so please send any recs!

* Image credit from one of my favorite blogs... One Fine Day! Ashley is taking a blogging break right now but save her site to your favorites because once she's back you won't want to miss a thing!

Valentine's Day Edit '18

It's no secret Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays! It may be manufactured but by golly what's not to LOVE? (Pun intended!) For me it's an excuse to send snail mail (my fav) and spring a smile or two on the unsuspecting with a special treat. Here's a quick roundup of some of my favorite Valentine goodies, come on now - it's all about showing some love...

MULTI EYES SOCKS FOR HIM // These KENZO patterned socks are sure to keep your man cozy and remind him he's a looker!
BUENOS NACHOS COOKBOOK // With this cookbook, you may just be speaking your secret admirer's love language...
BE MINE VALENTINE CARD // Because no one does Valentine's cards like Sugar Paper.
XOXO BENTO BOX // This Sugarfina bento includes some of my favorite gummies - watermelon, rose, champagne and peach bellini...
CLARE V. LIPS KEYCHAIN // This little number is made to #TreatYoSelf
LOEFFLER RANDALL ESSENTIAL WALLET // At $95 this mini pebbled wallet may just steal your heart!
CONFETTI PRINT MATCHBOOK // Set the mood with these babies and you're sure to have a bright night!
BKR GLASS WATER BOTTLE // Nothing says I love you, like staying hydrated!
DIPTIQUE TUBEREUSE CANDLE // Flowers don't last but you'll get up to 60 hours of burn time with this lil' ditty standard size!
RIFLE PAPER CO. VALENTINE CARD // For the classy broad!
BOBBI BROWN LIPSTICK // Feeling romantic? Try the "Rich Berry." Or spice it up with "Tahiti Pink." Either way, with Bobbi Brown you'll be ready for a smooch!
ROLLER RABBIT ONESIE // Soft, snug and sweet dreams guaranteed?! This onesie will make you smile! Next year our boy is sure to don this little number just before turning one!
PEONIES // Maybe for your Galentine? It's hard to go wrong with peonies and these beauties are sure to last a lifetime. But does anything beat the real thing?
LOVEY HEART SHAPED BAG // Fill this bag up with sweet treats to give out for the day!
"CHEER TO US" CHAMPAGNE BEARS // More Sugarfina because it's the perfect sweet treat for your sweetie!
THE REGULARS BY GEORGIA CLARK // This has long been on my reading list, so no time like the present!

Palm Springs 2018

Koffi North

NEWS FLASH! A little over 48 hours in Palm Springs is simply not enough... Maybe that's why the Hubs and I are dedicated to an annual pilgrimage to this small charming town?! This desert oasis has become our place as it revives modernism through inspired midcentury hotels, restaurants and shops while also providing easy access to the outdoors and a dry sunny climate. Here are the dirty details from our latest trek to the Coachella Valley over MLK weekend...

+ THURSDAY
We arrived in Palm Springs around dinner, freshly fed from our quick layover at LAX (thanks to a growling preggers belly), to a pleasant 60 degrees and headed straight to our hotel the Colony Palms. Stepping into the guest house for check-in was truly a dream come true. Our last adventure to Palm Springs included cocktails at this little boutique hotel's pool bar and we'd been smitten ever since. As east coasters, we were almost ready for bed but chose a quick night walk to downtown which happened to have a craft fair underway. Armed with my hubby and his first date shake, we took in deep breaths of dry air and made plans for the morning.

The Hubs enjoying Norma's patio

+ FRIDAY
First stop always is Koffi - the best coffee shop that exists... don't believe me?! Check out their courtyard above, I mean... This place has been true love since my first visit back in 2014 and discovering their blackberry peach yogurt parfait in 2016...  well, it left me speechless! To my delight, staying at the Colony means Koffi North is literally two blocks away. Coincidence? I think not!

There are two Koffi cafe locations in Palm Springs proper. The Hubs and I frequented the North location this time around but have also loved the South location as it's tucked into a neighborhood where you can sip your lattes like a local. Both Palm Springs locations open at 5:30 AM which is also a plus because coming from the east, we get up early!

Post-coffee and parfait, we headed back to the hotel to get dressed for the day and to brunch at Norma's. Norma's is part of the Parker Hotel designed from floor to ceiling by the one and only Jonathan Adler. Visiting this hotel has been high on my to-do list but the steep price tag has always kept me at bay. Although brunch was not cheap, dining seemed like a reasonable compromise. And was it worth it? Absolutely! Don't miss the James Beard Award Winning Potato Pancake; the Egg White Frittata of Shrimp isn't bad either.  But the real star of the show is the patio full of bright colors and light - a perfect welcome to Palm Springs. Linger in the lobby on your way out - the swing chairs, freestanding fireplace and the collection of eccentric objects are sure to pull you in!

The Parker's lobby

Next we headed downtown for a stroll and to pop into a few shops with the goal of spending some serious time at Pelago. Pelago (formerly Just Modern) is a modern housewares and furniture store and not unlike my favorite decor store in Massachusetts (Flora), it doesn't miss a mark. Much of the furnishings are by BluDot and Fermob but there are always a few new discoveries like Normann Copenhagen, which had me drooling over their Bell Lamp.

After our downtown stroll, we were ready to relax and settled into laying poolside at the Colony for sun and fish tacos. A few hours later, thoroughly relaxed, we showered and got ready for the evening. Since discovering Bootlegger Tiki a few years back, the Hubs and I devote at least one night to their concoctions and this time around was no different. If you love tiki bars like we do, make sure Bootlegger is on your list!

A mocktail (for me) and two handcrafted cocktails later, we made our way to Rooster and the Pig for dinner. Taking a cue from our BF Paulo, all I can say is GO and eat the Panko-Crusted Chicken Stuffed Rice Ball! I'm happy to report this lively creative little restaurant will now be part of our regular Palm Springs rotation, it's that good.

Joshua Tree

+ SATURDAY
But first Koffi...?! That's right folks, we headed back to the sun-filled courtyard of our favorite coffee spot before heading to the airport to rent a car for the day to take to Joshua Tree.  At the airport, we joked about how a convertible would be the real way to see the National Park and a $10 upgrade later we were cruising down the highway in a Mustang convertible! You guys, the lesson here is always ask... you never know and seeing Joshua Tree this way was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Joshua Tree National Park is a quick 45 minute drive from downtown Palm Springs and worth every minute. The landscape is literally out of this world and feels like you've landed on another planet with its Dr. Seuss vibe and strange rock formations. Next time, we hope to camp!

Full baby bump in Joshua Tree #29Weeks

On our way back into town, we stopped for a quick bite at In and Out Burger. Okay, cue the eye roll, but seriously their burgers are delicious and we never get the chance with our current digs in the east.

A shower and another downtown stroll led us to Workshop Kitchen + Bar for dinner. This award-winning restaurant had long been on my to-do list so I was delighted to snag a reservation. And although I was not too hungry (thanks preggers belly), the Hubs and I feasted on shaved brussels sprouts, wood-fired pizza and diver scallops - all of which were delicious!

+ SUNDAY
We savored our last morning at Koffi and then headed back to the Colony to lay by the pool and soak up the warm sun one last time before packing and heading out for our afternoon flight back to DC.

So what's the consensus? Are you packing your bags yet? Palm Springs is calling!

The infamous Koffi parfait

+ + +

QUICK HITS

+ FOOD/DRINK
Koffi // Norma's // Bootlegger Tiki // Rooster and the Pig // Workshop Kitchen + Bar // Copley's (perfect for dining al fresca!) // Birba Palm Springs (for pizza)
+ ACTIVITIES
Joshua Tree // The Ace Hotel & Swim Club // Rent a cruiser bike or borrow a complimentary bike from your hotel and explore (although we didn't partake this time around, we have loved this in the past; you must download the Palm Springs Modern App.)
+ GOODS/SHOPS
Pelago // Just Fabulous (for postcards and knick knacks) // Trina Turk // R & R Men's Wear (great men's swimwear and button downs)

OUR TO-DO LIST FOR NEXT TIME...
Stay at Holiday House // Cocktails and pool at the Kimpton Rowan // Palm Springs Aerial Tram // Coachella Valley Brewing Company // Hike in Tahquitz Canyon // Sunnylands Gardens // Brunch at Cheeky's // Moorten Botanical Gardens // Shop at Raymond Lawrence // Visit during Modernism Week