Wednesday, December 03, 2014

Not a mommy yet...

This article resonates with me, and I have a feeling, a lot of my friends.  The problem with being mid thirties and becoming a mommy for the first time is there is so much of me that I don't want to give up, or even change.  My GNO with the girls, my small purses that holds only the wallet and the car key, my alone time with hubby where we do nothing but stare at each other and giggle, just to name a few...  Whenever someone says "your life will never be the same again", 99% of me believe them and prepare for the worst, but there is a small but ever so present 1% that thinks "we will just wait and see".

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/11/09/opinion/sunday/our-mommy-problem.html?referrer&_r=1

2014 Black Friday (and Monday and the week after)

This Thanksgiving I worked very odd hours - noon to 8pm - five days straight.  That put a damper on all the eating and shopping.  Somehow I still managed to do plenty of both, mostly on my own.  

I took it easy on Net-A Porter this year, mostly because their black friday sale didn't start until Cyber Monday!  I only order a couple of items and only keeping this one (so far).  Softest and highly functional cashmere gloves by FINDS at 40% off.   I'm waiting patiently for this aberrant 70 degree weather in Atlanta to blow through so I can wear them already!!




This one is an impulse buy... Gucci boots!  They didn't even have it in my size!  But the beauty of Net-a-porter is free returns... and they are too beautiful (and too on sale) not to give it a chance.



Anthropologie... I have been waiting on this one.  25% off and free shipping, I think that's as good as it gets on that website.  Today, for example, is 30% off but no free shipping.  By principal I'm against paying for shipping (and returns)... but I have a weak spot for them.

I have been waiting on these pillow cases to go on sale!  25% isn't much but it's better than regular priced... and since I have the quilt, I need the set.  I will never spend this much on pillow cases again... I will never spend this much on pillow cases again...





These socks I saw in the store, are so cute and soft I had a hard time putting them down.
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/33806811.jsp#/


What can I say, this pillow makes me smile...  every time.
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/33377425.jsp#/


Thanks to Cup of Jo, I discovered Terrain and made my purchases 15% off with free shipping.



Aren't these so sweet? 

http://www.shopterrain.com/holiday%2Dhome%2Dcandles/pure%2Dbeeswax%2Dtapers%2Dnatural/searchString/candle
http://www.shopterrain.com/sale%2Dhome/old%2Dworld%2Dtaper%2Dholder/searchString/candle

Pottery Barn picture frames along with the candle holders above are all for our new shelf project.  Stay tuned...


Thursday, November 06, 2014

Things I covet... Birthday/Xmas edition

It's no coincidence this time of the year is the most expensive for my credit card.  Minutes after complaining to S about our spending this month on our way home from lunch (out), I order these online.  One for me and one for S!  It's not my fault his birthday is coming up in 5 days!!


As with everything I buy for S, there is a 50% return potential.  But who doesn't love cashmere, and this is such a classic cut.

In my pregnant state, cardigans are my friends.  There is the purple one I wore everywhere until the Chicago trip put it in the dry cleaners.  Maybe this can be another staple?  We shall see. 


I have been searching for booties for quite sometime.  Are these the one??  They are reasonably priced for sure.  I should just order them.  Is there a limit to how many times I can use my cc in one day???


http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/tyler-florence-thanksgiving-dinner/?pkey=cthanksgiving-food&cm_src=thanksgiving-food||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-

For $400, you can have Thanksgiving dinner for 12 delivered to your door!  Plus extra 15.99 for shipping.  I recently cooked a brisket for 5 where the dinner costed me about $200.  I did have to buy a roasting pan for the 6 lb brisket!  My point is, $400 for a peace of mind may be well worth it!

More attainable... just the festive can makes me happy. 



See those small yet not-so-small starburst earrings by David Yurman?  Well... those have been on my mind for the past 360 days.  I have seen them twice in person, tried them on once, thought about them every time S mentions buying me something.  The thing is, I have always been proud of the fact that I'm not a jewelry person, thus feel (slightly) better about spending more liberally on purses and shoes.  But really, who doesn't love these.  So small, stunning, understated but wow.  Maybe if I'm good for the rest of the year...  

Wednesday, November 05, 2014

2014 where did you go?

This year started rather tumultuously, I thought.  Year of the horse seems so auspicious, but kicked me in the butt quite a few times.  It's not over yet, arguably the most important part is yet to come... Fingers crossed.


We moved into our new house!  Actually this happened in August 2013, closed on the 29th.  But it didn't really feel like home until this year, when what seemed a vast amount of empty space began to fill in with clutters of daily life.  I find myself scrambling for storage space in this 4000 sq ft house for two.




I turned 32!  S and I celebrated at The Optimist, one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta.  I told S I didn't want anything for my birthday, but on the day of we went to the mall and walked away with the most lovely Burberry toggle coat with fur trimmed hat.  I felt very very spoiled. And very very lucky.

Snow day 2014.  A different fur collar with a different coat. 

Backyard view of my neighbor's house.  Doesn't it look so idyllic in the snow?

Snow Apocalypse in Atlanta!  (Almost) trapped at work.  After a three hour car ride home, only to be picked up by monster truck to return to work the next day.  Staying at Econolodge and Hampton Inn with Hadrami.  Oh winter, please be more kind this year. 



San Francisco Reunion!!  Where I was introduced to Japanese Ramen, how fast babies grow, and still dreaming of the insanely yummy shaved ice (which is really not ice at all but some sweet creamy light fluffy cream).


S and I bought not one but two cars within a span of 3 months.  Will never forget how happy (and proud?) my dad was when I returned his camry.  There was the first toyota camry, then the green Mitsubishi sport, then black Avalon, finally this camry is the only one I was responsible enough to return (even fixed the scratch).  I think it means I can take care of myself now, or something like that.


My sweet mom turned 60.  Yet she is not one day over 40, or 35, to me...  Still not a single strand of grey hair.  Still takes care of me when I am sick.  Still the person I want to talk to the most when sad/happy/sleepy.  Love my mommy.

Cutie


L'Atalier de Joel Robuchon

View from Cosmopolitan
Weekend trip to Vegas, Steve's favorite place in the world. Ok maybe not... but pretty close.




 NOLA/Biloxi trip in May, right before our lives changed forever.  S asked me on the trip - "you're eating a lot. are you pregnant?" Me - "No!"


There it is, the elusive two lines.  The funny thing is, once it's positive, there is no doubt in the world it's positive (although I have heard of tests where the second line is only slightly dark).  I think at one point I had about five of them all lined up.  S wanted to be sure.  It's the most thrilling/magical moment of our married life.  S: "what do we do now?" Me: "I don't know. I think it just grows." :)

 20 weeks and growing.  Still the most thrilling/magical, but also the most scary/nerve-wrecking/out-of-my-control experience.



Baby Do and I getting inspired by Oprah.

October in Chicago

"the Wild Bean"


Brothers!



The best turkey sandwich at The Publican Chicago.  I have been ordering sandwiches everywhere in Atlanta since I got back, but they all fall short. It's in the bread (fried I think), the melted fontina, and whatever else (I think an onion vinegar of some sort) is happening.  And the kale salad with bits of feta cheese, very envious of that salad. 



October in Chicago is breathtakingly beautiful.  When the weather isn't cold enough to take your breath away, the beautiful waterfront will.

Two hour wait to get into Wasabi for the famous torched pork belly Ramen Noodle.  Amazing. 

Margie's Ice Cream.  I wasn't sure what the big deal was, whether it was worth the waiting and the line and putting up with the chaos that is this (well-known) establishment.  I mean, ice cream is ice cream right?  This is a banana split with chocolate, coconut, and mint chocolate ice cream with hot fudge sundae in its own boat.  I have been craving it since.  Go figure. 

Our trip to Chicago trip is splendid.  Despite sprained ankles and sciatic leg, we hobbled our way from one restaurant to the next.  Not pictured is the Chicago pizza, legendarily good; the smell of caramel and cheddar cheese popcorn; and S trying to find me water along the Chicago River bank despite his swollen ankle.  Yep, still my favorite travel partner.




Happy Halloween.  My favorite holiday came and went, along with my favorite month.  S and I have been married for two years on 10.29.2014, and we celebrated with a steak at Ruth Chris.  No special gifts, we're old married couples now.

I will be working this Thanksgiving, but still, the spirit of the holidays is not wasted on me.  I love any holiday that involves cooking and eating.

Looking forward to our little Christmas tree, filling it with gifts, and for once spending Xmas day with family and seeing these gifts being opened.  Looking forward to baby Do growing bigger and bigger, and me heavier and heavier.  I'm getting fat and there is nothing I can or want to do about it.  Sometimes in life, all is well and I am thankful.