Our Folly Beach Babymoon

 We had such a nice weekend away at the beach.  It was all about relaxation and good food.  Here are some snaps:

We "checked in" around 11 on Friday and I immediately parked it on the porch for some reading and people watching.  I read The Vacationers and it was pretty cute.  It was a really quick read and while nothing exciting happened plot wise, it was still entertaining.  

Here I am at almost 35 weeks.

Y'all...shaving and prepping to get into a bathing suit was downright comical at this point in pregnancy. Omg.

I was so excited to get to go to Lost Dog for lunch. It's one of my favorite spots but the weekend crowds are intense and we never have weekdays off together.  I have ordered their quiche of the day every single time I've gone and it's always so delicious.  This one had asparagus, zucchini, peppers, and sausage.  

Once back at the house, more porch sitting.  Look at these two.  Like Father, Like Son.

The beach house that we rent has recently added a rooftop deck.  We spent some time up there.  Alfie LOVED it.

You can barely see Morris Island Lighthouse to my right in this photo.  And I am blocking it here, but you can also make out the Sullivan's Island lighthouse as well.  There was such a great breeze up there. 

 --

On Saturday I watched the sunrise from the porch.  It was beautiful.  

 I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

These were SO good.  They are by Immaculate Baking and are organic.

I was not expecting them to be so tasty but I will never buy Pillsbury again.

We spent the day alternating from the beach to the porch.  This isn't exactly a good beach book, but it was another quick read of the weekend.  Also pictured: my gigantic belly button!

 

We took Alfie swimming once the sun went down and he was so sweet!  You could tell he had no idea what was really happening but his little legs instinctively dog paddled.  I'm so sad I didn't get a video!

I tried to take some artsy monogram photos, inspired by Pinterest, but it didn't really turn out.  This was the best I got.

I also asked K to take a few "maternity" photos of me:

A little closer shot so you can actually tell I'm pregnant:

For Saturday night dinner K grilled cedar plank salmon and I made rice pilaf and lima beans.  YUM.

--

On Sunday we slept in and took our time getting ready to leave.

We were home by around 1 pm and man, relaxing on the beach takes a lot out of you!  We were all exhausted and spent the rest of the day being lazy.

--

How was your weekend?

What do you think of babymoons?

I'm all about a trip to the beach but I couldn't imagine an active/energetic vacation while pregnant.

All I wanted to do was sit/eat/read and chug water.

More updates to come in my 35 week pregnancy post later this week.

Humpity Hump

First things first, it feels amazing outside this morning.  I may be a teensy bit sensitive to temperature changes considering I'm 8.5 months pregnant, but I swear I feel the weather breaking!  Cue the angels singing.  

I've been slowly getting back in my groove after my Nana's passing last week.  You know how the days all seem to blur together when you're dealing with something like that?  I've definitely been in a funk.

We have our beach house staycation this week so today is officially my Friday at work. Hey now!  I've got my menu planned and 3 new books from the library packed and ready to go.  I am so excited to get a break from the new house and relax with K.

Here are a few things on my mind this week!

--

My my, how our 'date nights' have changed.

So, instead of cocktails at Belmont followed by dinner at Basil (my former favorite date night combo), you can find me at the Waffle House.  That pecan waffle, though!  Miiiiight be my hormones talking, but I think it's to die for.  My husband was a good sport about it, probably because our check was under $13!  

--

It's so fun whenever I get a notification that I've made an Etsy sale.

I've got a large order of Barbie Head Stoppers on their way down to Florida this morning.  You can purchase your own from my shop here.

--

Do y'all watch Flip or Flop, Fixer Upper, any of those HGTV shows?

I have realized that watching these shows has caused me to think I can do just about anything "home repair" in an hour or, at the very most, a day.  

I have again and again been overwhelmed by the sheer amount of time every little thing takes and I think it's because I'm conditioned by the 1 hour television format.  What I'm trying to get at is that something as simple as setting up the built-ins in our den has taken so long when truly, in the scope of our To Do list, it's just an afterthought.  When I show you the "before photos" I think our hard work will show, but looking at this now I can't say it blows me away, you would never know how much time went into it.  It's been a challenge making our things "work" in this house where they fit perfect at the condo.  Also, we are planning to return this rug pictured below because it just doesn't do anything for the space at all.  I would love anyone's recommendations.  This is the room with our denim sofa, first pictured here.

--

My favorite Sunday Dinner...my bbq shrimp and grits!  I have tweaked my recipe a bit since I posted it over 2 years ago so I thought I would share real quick.

On a plate, layer as follows:

Cooked grits (I cook with half milk/half water)

Shredded Cheddar cheese

Sauteed Shrimp (salt and peppered, cooked in butter)

Swirl of your favorite bbq sauce

Sprinkle of chopped bacon (optional)

Chopped chives (not optional, these set the whole thing off!!)

--

I hope y'all are having a great week!

Next week I'll share beach photos and my 35 week pregnancy journal.

xLaura

Tribute to my Nana

My Nana passed away this past weekend and I am still in shock.

She fell and, while we initially thought she was recovering, she drifted away and passed peacefully soon after.  I know that she was ready and that she is now reunited with my Dada and many of her family and friends at the old Jimmy Dengates in the sky.  I am sad that she won't get to meet her great granddaughter, she was so excited about that, but more than that I happy that she did not suffer is now resting in peace.

I love you, Nana!

Lois Sherrod LeaMond

1932-2016

Friday Highfive: Maternity/Postpartum Fashion

First off, I wanted to mention that I haven't really had to purchase many maternity clothes.  My career wardrobe consists of patterned, stretchy dresses that have (thus far) really grown with me.  My workplace is very casual, which has also helped me maintain my current closet.  Also, I simply (gratefully) haven't gained much weight.  

So, with that said, when A Pea in the Pod featured a flash sale this week with an additional 60% off all of their sale items, I decided to splurge.

I have been to all of the maternity shops in Charleston and Pea in the Pod is for sure my favorite, minus some of the pricetags.  There were some awesome deals online this week so I thought I would share what I purchased!  With less than 2 months left to go in my pregnancy, some of these items were purchased with the postpartum/holiday season in mind.  

Here we go...

1. 

Isabella Oliver Plaid Dress

I think Fall is probably the most fun time to dress a baby bump (or to dress in general) and I think this look is perfectly transitional for September.  I'm planning on wearing it with some black leather booties.  I've been wearing more clingy dresses so I think this will be a fun way to mix it up.
(Sidenote: I wore an Isabella Oliver dress to my first baby shower and I find the brand very high quality and flattering)

--

2.

Snugabell Pumping Bustier

Hands free pumping for the win!  

I got this at a great price and I love the cherry print.  

--

3.

Splendid Convertible Sleeve top

I purchased this as a "transition piece" for my wardrobe this Fall. I tried it on in the store and decided to pull the trigger with the additional mark down.

--

4. 

Rachel Pally Elbow Sleeve Maxi

We have a busy winter wedding season this year and so I snagged this dress the moment I saw it was included in the sale.  I am a HUGE Rachel Pally fan...her dresses are touted as "before, during, and after" pregnancy wear.  From the photo the dress looks like nothing special but if you've ever tried on a Rachel Pally dress you know it's ALL about the fit.  Her clothes feel like butter and make you look beautiful. Could not pass this up.

--

5. 

3/4 Sleeve Poncho Sweater

I purchased a small in this one because, on top of being maternity, it looks oversized.

I hope it is as soft and cozy as it seems!  I picture myself wearing it on our first Thanksgiving in our new home.  I am hosting this year (with a lot of family help) and planning to keep it super low key and simple.  

--

I hope y'all have a great weekend!

Oh!  and for Charleston locals, I'm not 100% sure if this is still going on, but From Here to Maternity in Mt. Pleasant is going out of business and had a close out sale happening on their maternity section.  I didn't find anything personally, but worth a shot for any other preggos.

Our Weekend

It was a nice, albeit HUMID, weekend around these parts.

Friday night I stayed up way too late watching the Parade of Nations, which is basically my favorite part of the Olympics.  On Saturday I piddled around in the nursery all morning and then it was time for a little co-ed Baby Shower thrown by my in-laws.  It was such a nice night!

Sweet little cake:

On Sunday we had a late breakfast at Bagel Nation.  I felt sort of silly taking a picture of my meal but I couldn't deprive y'all:

We hung around the house for the rest of the day,  Alfie got his first bath in his new pool.  Next year he'll be splashing around with his little sister!

That's a wrap on our weekend.

If you need me I'll be washing little baby clothes all week.

:)

Friday Highfive

Friday, how you doin'?  

I woke up early this morning so I could grab a special breakfast treat before work.

I am currently enjoying an egg and cheese croissant and an iced chai from Bull Street Gourmet.  Perfect start to my day.

Now, here's a highfive for getting through the week!

So let's see...

Sunday night I said to K, "We made it to August!" because it really felt like such a victory.  I am looking forward to the summer winding down, if for no other reason than to escape this record-breaking heat in Charleston.

July was a good, productive month.  We are slowly starting to feel more settled in our new place.  There are still many things left on the To Do List, but it's feeling more like home each day.

Today I thought I would share a few glimpses of recent additions around the house.

--

1.

I picked up this cute welcome mat from Lowe's on one of our hundreds of recent trips there.  I think it really brightens up the front porch.  I am looking for a wreath to compliment the vibe.  I had an old wreath from the condo up for a week or so and we realized that a little family of finches had quickly made it their home.  So, saying that, I realize that a wreath may not be the way to go...But I want something to snazz it up.  I'm not a big fan of the monogram door decor thing, perhaps a decorative door knocker is all we need?  Love this one and this one, both by Michael Healy.

--

2. 

I purchased this figure painting from Teil Duncan's site.  I am planning to switch out the frame because I think that the white sort of washes everything out and I really want a bold statement.  I bought this because I want to introduce some more contemporary artwork into our home.  So much of what we have collected is traditional, Charleston-based art, this is a breath of fresh air for our entry way.  I also purchased two of her beach babe prints for our girl's nursery (which you can kind of see in the photos I shared here).

--

3.

I am allll about this magnetic knife holder we picked up at Kitchen and Company a while back.  As you can see, we do not currently have any backsplash in our kitchen and so I'm looking for ways to functionally fill the blank space.  I am 75% certain we are pushing our granite purchase into 2017, so I'm in need of creative ideas to give the kitchen some style.

--

4.
Ok so one funny thing about moving into a much bigger space, there has been so much confusion of what to call each room.  For instance, I consider the bathroom off of our main hallway to be the "main bath", while K calls it the "hall bath".  So every time we try to communicate about it, it takes each of us a minute or two to realize which room the other is talking about.  This is the same with our "den" aka "family room" aka "play room".  Anyway, here is a snap from our MAIN bathroom.  We re-glazed the tub which I have been taking full advantage of lately.  The room is completely white and I am going for a "spa" vibe with all of the decor.  Can't wait to show y'all the finished project!

--
5.

I saved the best for last today, because I am so excited about these lamps y'all!

I have been searching and searching for lamps for our living room since we moved in back in June.  It has been an endless loop of Homegoods and TJmaxx visits.  Online, thrift stores, estate sales, furniture stores...way too much hunting devoted to lighting.   I was so close to giving up and just picking something that would work, but the waiting paid off and I found the lamps of my dreams.

I knew I wanted something boldly white, ceramic, with a white shade.

Our furniture (couches, tv stand, end tables) is all espresso brown and so I needed something large and vividly white to brighten up the space.  We found them at Ashley Home Store and they make such an impact in the room.  Success!

--

It is slowly coming along!

--

We have a fun weekend ahead...

I am SO excited for take out and the Olympics Opening Ceremony tonight!    

I hope y'all have a great one.

xLaura