Honeycomb

This was actually my Wednesday outfit but, I recreated for today so I could take pictures.  I think this is the last time I will be able to wear this dress until after Baby Chouette is born.  It is definitely starting to get a BIT snug in the belly region!  However, it is one of my favorite dresses so, I will miss it until probably October rolls around.  It reminds me of a multi-coloured honeycomb!

Now am I am sure many of you watched the royal wedding today or at least caught some highlights on the web.  I have to say that I fall into the latter category.  Something about waking up at 2am to begin a Wills and Kate Wedding marathon doesn't really spark my interest.  However, I do have to say that checking to see what her gown looked like first thing after waking up was on my list of to-dos.  Frankly, I loved her dress.  it was elegant, classy and, as the British would say, "Spot on" in my opinion.

Even though I was not completely immersing myself in the hype of the wedding, I can't say the same for some of my co-workers.  Many of them woke up early to watch beginning coverage, decorated their cubes in British flags and even some wore big, fancy hats.  However, I was mostly impressed with one of our inventory analysts who actually baked William's Grooms cake.  And, it may be because I am pregnant but, it was one of the most amazing cakes I have had in recent years!  I managed to track down the recipe and plan to make it soon.  See the link below to get it!

Prince William's Groom's Cake via SprinkleBakes

Chocolate Biscuit Cake

Lightly adapted recipe from Eating Royally by Darren McGrady                                                 

1/2 tsp. softened butter for greasing pan

8 oz. McVities rich tea biscuits, broken into pieces

1/2 stick (4 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup extra find granulated sugar

4 oz. (about 1/2 cup) chopped chocolate or chocolate chips
1 egg, beaten

8 oz. chocolate for icing

Cinnamon for dusting

Lightly grease a 6" spring form pan.  Set aside.  Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl until mixture has lightened in color.

Melt 4 oz. chocolate in a double boiler. Add butter and sugar mixture to the chocolate stirring constantly.  Add the egg and continue to stir.  Fold in biscuit pieces until they are all coated with the chocolate mixture.

Spoon the chocolate coated biscuits into the cake pan.  Press firm with the back of a spoon to fill in any gaps - the bottom of the cake will be the top when turned out.  Chill the cake in the refrigerator for 3 hours.

Remove cake and unmold on a wire rack.  Melt the 8 oz of chocolate (I did this in the microwave) and pour over the cake.  Spread smooth with an off-set spatula.  Allow chocolate coated cake to sit at room temperature until chocolate is set.  When set, run a spatula under the cake to remove from wire rack (chocolate makes it stick a little).  Transfer to a fancy serving platter, slice and serve.

The name game...

Since we are doing the floor renovations in the room that I typically take my outfit photos, I had to find an alternative this afternoon when I got home from Easter dinner with my family.  This is our dining room which of course, currently has only plywood for floors.  It isn't so bad but, the lighting we have in this room is a little yellow.  I didn't feel up to trying to change setting on he camera to make it more natural of a light.

I am sure that anyone who has kids has felt the way that I feel now....completely frustrating is naming the baby!  It is by far the hardest thing I have ever done especially since my favorite boy's name is not exactly my husband's favorite.  We just can't really agree on a name right now.  My family was trying to convince me that I should wait until he is born before I name him but, I am far too Type A for that.  I am sort of hoping for some sort of miraculous intervention of God to bring the right name to me but, I am thinking it won't happen!
 :)

Blouse: Target

Jacket: Vintage 1970s; gift from a friend

Necklace: Thrifted

Skirt: Destination Maternity

Heels: Aldo

Why no one is coming over for Easter....

The posts have been sparse the last few days because we have been ripping out our incredibly ugly Berber carpet in order to replace it with oak flooring.  I made this decision the second we bought the house 2 years ago.  I told my husband, "I will not have a child crawling around on 1990s Berber, dirty carpet."  Luckily, he remembered and agreed that hardwood flooring was the best best.  We both missed having it from when we lived in the city!  So, I thought I would share a little peak at some of the action!

Ripping up carpet = many beers (not mine!)  No idea why this is sideways via Blogspot...

My beautiful frontroom...now plywood central!

Maddie was generally NOT amused at all the action...

 ...but then she found a nice spot at the window.

My job was to sweep, pull up stray tacks and to provide non-laborous help.  My belly, my husband's jeans, and a really ancient pair of Pumas did the job.

The future flooring...Butterum Oak.

Edgy

Today someone called me 'edgy'.  I found it actually quite funny because I really feel that I am the least edgiest person ever.  I think it was this outfit....possibly the shoes?  I am not sure, to be honest.  It's funny how sometimes you see yourself so differently from other people and how other people can see you in so many different ways. 

This dress is my building dress.  It was originally on Modcloth but, they were sold out and I found it for $30 less on Karmaloop.  I was so excited to get it a couple months ago only to be disappointed that it was pretty flowy.  This apparently works awesome now belted with the bump so, I can't complain!

Cardigan: Target

Dress: Karmaloop

Belt: thrifted

Leggings: Heidi Klum for Motherhood Maternity

Heels: JCP

Bebe Chouette is...

Image source here

Where Did Spring Go?

 

I have been so inspired lately but fellow bloggers and some co-workers who have fashionably been sporting some tea length skirts in pretty spring hues.  I thought all was lost in finding one when I found this pastel pink bad boy at the Goodwill near my work.  It was a size bigger than what I normally wear but, that worked out with the bump.  So I paired it with a simple black tee and my trusty black pumps.

It was so chilly here that I had to take out the winter coat again.  It was extremely windy and only about 45 degrees out!  Brrr!  Where did spring go?

Tee: Target - Liz Lange

Skirt: Thrifted

Heels: Steve Madden

Necklace: Frank Gehry for Tiffany

And have no fear - baby bump is definitely still there!  It's funny how I don't look pregnant from behind or from the front.  As soon as I turn sideways, different story.  Saturday we find out (if baby is cooperative) if baby is a boy or a girl.  From the beginning, I have thought girl but, recently, with everyone telling me I look like I am carrying a boy, I have become unsure.  Of course, I will keep you all informed!

Only Tomorrow Leads The Way...

The title of this post is from the song #41 by Dave Matthews Band and I have always loved it as a quote.  Even when I have the most awful days, I always here Dave singing this line in my head and somehow it makes me feel better.  Dave Matthews Band is probably one of my favorite bands.  I have been going to their concerts and listening since I was about 13.  The song You and Me was even our first dance at our wedding as my husband is a also a huge fan. 

I never talk much about music on here and I am not sure why considering it occupies a large portion of my life.  I love all types of music.  Sometimes I think people try to define and therefore reflect onto others a particular persona based on their music preference.  I guess I have just never really cared to do that.  My iPod is essentially schizophrenic.  Just for reference to this post, I went through my most recently played songs and have listed the top bands/singers/composers of each song...

1.Radiohead

2. Dave Matthews Band

3.Regina Spektor

4. Claude Debussy

5. Passion Pit

6.Gold Panda

7. Mozart

8. Nine Inch Nails

9. Rascal Flatts

10. Pheonix

Is anyone elses' iPod schizo?

 

Dress: Motherhood Maternity

Belt: Thrifted

Heels: Steve Madden

Earrings: Designed by my husband for my 23rd Bday

Bracelet: Christian Dior 

Gypsys

Today was one of those days where it seemed like the entire world was running at fast forward!  I was so busy at work that it seemed just when I was getting started, it was 4:45pm.  On a good note, I got to finally wear my Seychelles Gypsy heels I bought over the winter.  I fell in love with this shoes because of the blog Second Skin.  She always wears her pair and I just love them.  Oddly, they are incredibly comfy despite the higher heel.

Today was also the first time a stranger stopped me to ask me when I due and to say congratulations.  It was definitely weird to have someone random ask that but, at the same time, exciting to know I actually look pregnant to outsiders.  At least pregnant enough for people to KNOW I am pregnant and not just having a Twinkie phase. 

Bits of the Nursery

1. The stuffed animals (vintage and gifts)

2. Vintage Junior Deluxe Edition books

3. Vulli Sofie la Girafe

4. Wooden Bear (one of many wooden toys)

5. Vintage copper fable frame that was my father's from France

6. Vintage heirloom Serbian rug from the 1940's

Spanish Influence

 

As a pregnant woman, I belong to a list of forums for moms-to-be.  Its a natural decision because I really don't know anything about being a mom so, it is nice to log into a site and see that other people fear and love the same things you do about being pregnant.  One of the things I saw on one of the sites was to spend 10 minutes a day with your baby...however it is that you can interpret that.  My way is to dance in the morning with my belly.  I know that seems really corny but, music is a huge part of my life and I want my child to hopefully love music the in the same way.

This morning I hit shuffle and The Gipsy Kings came on.  I have this secret liking for Spanish guitar music and I am not really sure where it originated.  I have a few mexican style dresses but, considering the gloomy, rainy 45 degree weather this morning, I chose this dress which is sort of my next closest option.

Cardigan: Kohls

Dress: Anthropologie

Heels: Steve Madden

Enter the Crib

Today we received a call that our crib was delivered!  I was so excited.  Of all the nursery furniture we have acquired, this is the only piece that is both pricey and something we bought new.  All of the other furniture is hand-me-downs or things I have bought on consignment.  We were afraid to buy a crib that was old due to all of the safety concerns with drop-sides and bar spacing.  So, we decided that finding one we liked, despite the price, would be an investment not only for the safety of our baby but, to use for future babies as well.

The Cold Bug is Never Good....

This is especially true when you are expecting.  I have never felt so horrible nor appreciated Tylenol Cold and Flu so much as I did over the last 4 days.  It started with a cough, innocent enough.  The cough cleared but, was then followed but a sore throat, congestion, head ache and running nose.  Not to mention, I couldn't hear out of one ear!  The worst part was, the most horrible of the 4 days happened to have been the day of my sister in law's baby shower.  I had to leave early...

So this is the only picture I managed to fester up before falling promptly into bed to sleep for 5 hours in the middle of the day.  I absolutely love this coat.  It's by Free People and I actually picked it up at a thrift store by my house about 3 years ago.  It had never been used and still had tags on it!

Coat: Free People

Dress: Modcloth

Tan Pumps: Modcloth

Crimson and Sun

It was actually sunny here!  I am not kidding!  The meant I could bare my knees.  I know this sounds like a very small accomplishment in the realm of weather but, honestly, it was a huge deal.

This outfit is actually from Thursday.  I have had a killer cold the last few days and it has kept me under.  Being sick when pregnant is possibly the most horrible thing ever.  Your body basically works to protect baby and leaves you out to dry.  Normally colds for me last a day and I bare through it with some Tylenol Cold and Sinus.  Unfortunately, you can't take meds when you are pregnant so, instead, I have spent the last 3 days in agony.  However, in the end you have to just tell yourself, "I am having a baby and that is worth every second of pregnancy even if some of that time is spent in sickness hell..."

Cardigan: Life and Liberty

Dress: Thrifted

Scarf: Thrifted

Necklace: Thrifted

Socks: Target

Boots: Unknown....