schue love

June 1st

2012-06-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's already June 1st. Today marks the month that our son will be born! It's hard to believe that we have been waiting for this month to arrive since way back in September when we found out we were expecting. And what a journey it has been.

This month, particularly this day, holds a special place in my heart. Today is my brother's birthday...he would be 27 today.

{Me holding my little baby brother}

It's hard to believe he has been gone for 6 years. A part of my life stopped the day he left us...and yet I can't believe how much life has still gone on. I think about the fact that I'm welcoming my son into this world...my own little boy who I have so many hopes and dreams for. My own little boy who I hope to see grow into a successful young man and have his own family one day. I want things for my son that my brother never got the chance to experience...his life cut short far too early. I wish he could meet his nephew and teach him all the things he loved to do, like how to create with legos or how to build a skateboard ramp or a treehouse, how to excel at any sport he puts his heart and mind to...and most of all how to dream.

{Celebrating my college graduation...our last photo together}

I also wish that my son could know his uncle...a young man who was extremely talented with his hands, tenacious, hard-headed, loving, driven, competitive, confident, and above all passionate. He had a zest for life that was contagious...he seemed to always be a part of the next big thing and he dreamed big. He was a loyal and fierce friend and dog lover. Though he was my younger brother, he was protective, like a big brother would be. We were also fiercely competitive...which in reflection seems so petty now. However, I know above all, how much he loved me and how proud he would be to an uncle.

Our son's middle name will be after my brother, Grant, in honor and memory of him. I know he's shining down on us and will protect our little guy like he did for me.

Thanks for allowing me to open up and share today. I know that June will bring us more joy now than sadness and that makes me so very happy. It's funny how life works that way, don't you think?

Happy Birthday Brother...love you always!

xo natasha

Family-Friendly Doesn't Mean Losing your Style

2012-05-31T07:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends! First, thank you all SO much for the sweet comments on our maternity shoot yesterday. You all make me feel so special...especially during a time where I am feeling more like a beached whale, than a glowing preggo lady! ;) It really means a lot to me, so thank you!

I have a special treat for you all today...the talented peeps over at Houzz have written a guest post for all of us...talking about something pretty pertinent to my life right now...how to live in a family-friendly home without sacrificing style. Hope you all enjoy!

Hello everyone! My name is Becky and I'm a contributor at Houzz, a home design site focused on helping design professionals and homeowners manage the remodeling and decorating process. Thanks so much to Natasha for having me!

Beautiful home design and having kids around — often it seems like these are two things that cannot coexist. However, just because your home is filling up with backpacks, toys, diaper genies and science fair projects, it’s no reason to lose track of your own personal style. Popsicles, GoGurts and Capri Suns will have to live alongside your sofas and rugs, so it’s best to toughen up your interiors a bit. Here are five tips for going kid-friendly without losing your own sense of style.

modern living room design by san francisco interior designer Jute Interior Design

Use durable fabrics. The wide variety of outdoor fabrics on the market today makes this easy. Ali Davin of Jute Interiors decorated this entire flat with the clients' toddlers in mind. She used durable outdoor fabrics almost everywhere throughout the space.

modern kids design by san francisco interior designer Niche Interiors

Go for sophisticated wallpaper. As your family grows, you'll likely be shuffling bedrooms and offices around. Thus, you should think beyond duckies when decorating a nursery (actually, you should be thinking way beyond duckies anyway!). Choose a wallpaper that you know you'll love for years, whether the room is a nursery, an office, a guest room or an older child's bedroom.

Choose neutral colors for the big, permanent pieces. Jennifer Jones of Niche interiors has wisely chosen a beautiful dragonfly paper in a neutral color palette and added color via more portable accessories. This is always a wise move in a room that will need to grow and change with your child.

modern kids design by boston interior designer Rachel Reider Interiors

Have a place for everything, and teach your kids to put everything in its place. Interior designer Rachel Reider flanked the fireplace in this playroom with shelves for books that include baskets for toys. Establish a strict "one in, one out" policy for toys and keep a donation container handy for those that are on the way out.

Use carpet tiles in kids' spaces. If one is stained or otherwise damaged, it's a cinch to tear out that one tile square and replace it rather than having to buy a whole new area rug.

Have any great tips for going kid-friendly without sacrificing your design aesthetic? I hope you'll share them below!

Find more kid-friendly inspiration for your home from San Francisco interior designers and more design professionals at Houzz.

Wow...so many great tips and things that I hope to instil in our home, once the little guy gets here! A special thanks to Becky for her post today!

xo natasha

Maternity Shoot

2012-05-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm so pleased to share our maternity photos with you today. They turned out beautifully and will be such a great way to remember this special time during our lives. The talented Darcy Rodriguez of Artyard Photography {website to come!} took these for us. She is also 9 months pregnant with a son, so I am excited for our little guys to meet here shortly, but also grateful she was able to take these for us! Hope you enjoy...

So glad that Wilson got to make the shoot! :)

The photos were all taken down at Camp Richardson on the lake. The white dress is actually a skirt and top and the second dress is the same one I wore to my baby shower.

I'm sure we'll frame some for the nursery...it's hard to pick my favorite though! :)

xo natasha

36 Weeks: One Month Countdown!

2012-05-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

How far along? 36 Weeks

Baby Size: The size of a honeydew!

Total weight gain: 24 pounds
Maternity clothes? Lots of maxi dresses...like this one.

Stretch marks? No, but this would be the time...my belly just keeps getting bigger!

Sleep: I'm starting to struggle more and more...it's hard to get to sleep...he always seems to get hiccups right about the time I'm dozing off! And shifting around/getting up to use the bathroom is becoming more difficult!

Best moment this week: Having my first weekly checkup with the doctor! He said baby is starting to move down, which means he could come early! That would be nice! And we also got our maternity photos! Can't wait to share them with you tomorrow!

Miss Anything? All the usual things...drinking, bending over, feeling "normal". But I have to say, it's all worth it. No complaints!

Movement: Lots and lots of movement. He's an active little boy!

Food cravings: Fresh fruit, angel food cake with whip cream and strawberries, Frosted Mini Wheats!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really

Gender: BOY!!!

Labor Signs: Nope...nothing yet. The doctor also said I did not show any dilation, but my cervix is starting to soften. Hoping after an active weekend that I'll show signs of progress this week!

Symptoms: Lower back pain, lower stomach/pelvic area pain, sleepy, low energy...pretty typical!

Belly Button in or out? halfie

Wedding rings on or off? on

Mood: Getting more emotional...like crying for no reason! But really happy overall! And excited for his impending arrival!

Looking forward to: Baby's arrival! It's crazy to think that he could be here any time now. We'll be 37 weeks tomorrow...full term! Yipee!!

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day Weekend!

xo natasha

PS...I'm over at Gaby's sweet blog today talking about what's in my makeup bag! Check it out!

Happy Birthday My Love

2012-05-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

Wishing my husband a happy happy birthday!

Here's a sneak peek from our maternity shoot...more photos next week!

xo natasha

Friday Fancies::Memorial Day Madness

2012-05-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

Necklace // Wedges // Lipgloss // Dress // Earrings // Swimsuit // Tote

Yay for a three day weekend!! And yay for the hubby's birthday tomorrow! ;)

We have good friends coming up this weekend to help us celebrate, which I'm pretty excited about. The weather, however, doesn't look like it's going to cooperate {there's a chance of snow!}, but we won't let that damper our time together. It really feels like the last hoorah before baby gets here! And if the weather were perfect...I would wear this outfit...pregnant or not. I LOVE this maxi dress! And the ruffled bikini is adorable.

What are your plans for the long weekend??

xo natasha

Thoughts for Thursday

2012-05-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends! How is your week going? I swear, as I draw closer to my due date, the days and weeks seem to get slower and slower. I need things to speed up...but I guess I should be careful for what I wish for, right? We still have a lot to do in anticipation of the baby's arrival, which makes me anxious! Just a combo of mixed emotions I guess!

Anyway...here are some random thoughts for today's post.

I saw this mint J.Crew scarf on Natalie's blog yesterday and have now fallen in love. But how do I justify yet another scarf of the 103983487 I already own??

Something else mint green, that I could afford, and probably need, are these knock off DV sandals from Target. If only they were available at my local Target last weekend!

Ummm what to say about this book?? I'm currently reading it to see what all the hype is about, but honestly! This is some of the most crude and graphic stuff that I have EVER read. To say I'm blushing is a major understatement!! And how in the world are they going to make a movie about it?? I swear I'm not a prude, but this is just beyond me! Seriously ladies...what's your take on it??

I saw this and thought it was pretty funny:

So I can kid a little bit about it...only a little though! ;)

Speaking of babies...

Here's a sneak peek of the baby's gallery wall in the nursery. We're SOO close to being done...cannot wait to share it with you!

Last, I wanted to slow down for a second and say THANK YOU to all my new followers...I've noticed that you've been stopping by and I can't tell you how thankful I am for all of you. And to my loyal readers, thank you for your kind and supportive comments, emails, and tweets. I am behind on returning a lot of your sweet comments and visiting your blogs, but I promise I read every single one of them and truly appreciate you stopping by to say hi! I'm guessing it's not going to get easier over the next several months, but know that I do care and really love hearing from you.

Ok, enough thoughts for today! Have a great Thursday!!

xo natasha

9 Months: What I've Learned So Far

2012-05-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

{Click set for more details}

I've officially entered my 9th month of pregnancy today, and I'd like to think I've learned a thing or two along the way. I really enjoy reading posts on "pregnancy must haves" and advice from other expecting mamas-to-be, so I hope this will be helpful for those on the maternity journey!

Books: There are a ton of pregnancy books out there...many of which I own. By far, the most straight forward and helpful to me has been What to Expect When You're Expecting. It sits on my bedside table and has literally been like a bible during this time. I learned early on to avoid reading the message boards on the pregnancy websites...they are too many scary {and quite frankly, negative} posts out there that made me more paranoid than anything else. For me, this book gave it to my straight and I appreciated the matter of fact tone throughout.

Wear: In the beginning, I was so excited to buy "maternity" clothes to show off the bump and couldn't wait to go on a crazy shopping spree! But over time, I realized that today is actually a good time to be pregnant, as a lot of fashion already caters to pregnant bodies, ie: long tops, maxi dresses, leggings, blousy tunics, etc. I have always loved Havaiana sandals and they've proven to be just as comfortable in the late stages of pregnancy. I also LOVE Liz Lange's long lean tanks. I own several and will most likely wear them post-pregnancy too. They're nice and long, but don't scream maternity. Last, this is really random, but I swear by Gilligan & OMalley's thong undies. I wore them before I was pregnant and they are still ultra comfortable now. They're low rise and super soft and stretchy, which as been accommodating with my growing belly. The best part is, they make nursing bras and tanks too...so I have already started stocking up on those as well. Really, Target is king when it comes to maternity wear!

Sleep: During the winter, I would get stuffy noses and be more congested. The Crane humidifier was great for helping me sleep at night, especially with how dry it is up here. I also bought the snoogle pillow, but honestly, it felt like I was wrestling an alligator. Such a waste. I now sleep with a pillow between my legs and on my side and do just fine. I've also heard great things about the Boppy pillow. Maybe next time?

Drink: Of course, I drink tons and tons of water {key for staying hydrated, which means less cramping and swelling}, but it's nice to have a "fancy' type drink since I'm not indulging in cocktails right now. I love Izze's sparkling juice...particularly the pomegranate flavor.

Body: I've been fortunate not to have experienced any stretch marks yet {knock on wood!} and I attribute this to applying lotion every time I get out of the shower. I've always used Johnson & Johnson Shea and Cocoa butter lotion, which smells great and includes the cocoa butter that are in a lot of the "stretch mark creams". Additionally, I apply Mustela's stretch mark cream on my tummy, chest, and thigh area. Palmer's works great too.

Etc: I haven't experienced too much heart burn during my pregnancy, but Tums Smoothies do the trick when I do. I also love EOS lip balm to keep my lips moisturized. And one last tid bit...I've been flossing religiously {kuddos to you if that's already part of your regular routine!}. Since I can't whiten my teeth and dental is a big part of your overall health & well-being, I've found that flossing has kept my teeth pearly white {not to mention the elimination of wine and coffee!}.

It's crazy to look back over the last 9 months and see how far I've come...and what I've learned. I'm grateful to have had a relatively easy pregnancy and positive experience overall. I'm hoping these last 4 weeks go by quickly and easily!

So tell me mamas and m2b's, do you have anything to add to this list? Any questions? Let me know!

xo natasha

My Colortopia + $2,500 Dream Nursery Giveaway!

2012-05-22T07:54:00.000-07:00

As many of you know...I am expecting our first little one this June and have been neck deep in planning, decorating and anticipating his arrival. By far, the most exciting, yet challenging, aspect of welcoming a baby is decorating the nursery {you can see my progress so far, here}. There are SO many ideas online...that it can become a bit overwhelming. Well...I wish I had known about this little tool by My Colortipia in the beginning:

The widget above actually allows you to take the quiz to figure out what color scheme is best for your nursery...and it works too! Check out my results:

It definitely included the teals, grays and oranges that I'm using in Baby Schue's nursery. Plus, it's a fun little quiz to capture great inspiration as a guideline for planning.

You probably noticed the What to Expect When Expecting {only in theaters} logo above...I actually had the pleasure of seeing the movie on Friday night with the hubsters. We both loved it {there are some great parts for the guys too} and it made me all that more excited for our impending arrival.

Well, here's the tie-in...in the movie What to Expect When You’re Expecting {only in theaters}, a couple picks out paint colors for their baby’s new nursery. Find paint colors that you and your little
one will love with Glidden® Brilliance Collection™ Paint, available at Walmart. That's right, Glidden paint is welcoming you to enter their giveaway via Circle of Moms for a $2,500 Wal-Mart gift card towards your dream nursery {um, hello!}!!! You can find out more about the details on My Colortopia, but basically all you need to do is pick your favorite nursery board {as put together by three super talented blogger-designers}, comment on the post, and login in order to win!

Here are the boards you get to choose from...

Which one is your favorite? {PS...You will notice that when you click over, that our crib is featured in two of the designs! Pretty cool!!}. The contest runs May 17 to June 7, 2012 and the winner will be announced on My Colortopia the week of June 18th! Now hop on over and place your vote by writing a comment, here!

Good luck!!

xo natasha

I have been sponsored by Glidden brand paint to write this post but the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

35 Weeks: 30 days to go!!

2012-05-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

How far along? 35 Weeks...only 30 days to go! WOW!

Baby Size: The size of a coconut or honeydew melon. According to the doctor last week...he's about 4.5 or 5 pounds. We need him to keep cooking so he can chunk up! :)

Total weight gain: Still around 23 pounds

Maternity clothes? Let's just say that the end of my pregnancy could not have arrived at a better time. Living in maxis...like the one above. It's non-maternity, from Hurley.

Stretch marks? Nope...and praying it stays this way.

Sleep: Still sleeping well...only getting up once for a bathroom break. I'm definitely the queen of pillows though!

Best moment this week: Starting the official countdown...30 days seems appropriate right? Did the baby's laundry...Dreft smells heavenly and all his clothing is SO sweet and little! Did a BIG Target run for more baby stuff. Started putting together the diaper bag. And I still need to pack our hospital bags. Lots of lots of progress! Also...about 99% done with the nursery! Just need to find the final piece over the crib! :)

Miss Anything? Feeling like a "normal" person...everything is pretty much more of a chore at the moment!

Movement: Lots of rolls, kicks, and somersaults!

Food cravings: Sweets...hot tamales candy, scones, mint chip ice cream...but honestly...food is becoming less and less appetizing. There's just no room in there.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing new

Gender: Bouncing Baby Boy!!

Labor Signs: Still nothing...

Symptoms: Just the usual aches and pains...a back rub sounds SO good right about now {and every hour on the hour...hubby can only do so much!}.

Belly Button in or out? Out on the top...flat on the bottom

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood: So so happy and excited!

Looking forward to: Starting my weekly doctor visits...can't wait to hear how he's progressing every week! :)

xo natasha

Friday Fancies::Weekend Wear

2012-05-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

Tank // Clutch // Bracelet // Sunglasses // Shorts // Lip Gloss // Necklace // Sandals

We've had a heat wave here in Tahoe, which is pretty unusual for this time of year. It makes me want to jet off somewhere tropical and glamourous...like Cannes, France {anyone watching the Cannes Film Festival coverage?}! Sounds nice right? If I were jetting off somewhere exotic...I would definitely wear this outfit. I'm totally digging the ikat shorts and ASOS sandals. An easy breezy top and fancy accessories would be the perfect way to pair the shorts.

Unfortunately, my plans are much more low key...I'll be staying cool so as not to swell up and watching the time tick by in anticipation of Baby Schue's arrival in a couple short weeks! ;)

Have a great weekend friends!

xo natasha

Travel Schue::San Diego

2012-05-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends!

I'm super excited to introduce you to a new blogger and new city, as part of my Travel Schue series! This week we're traveling to San Diego. Having grown up in Orange County {which is about an hour north}, I have an affinity for Southern CA, especially San Diego. I have several friends and family who call it home and I love to visit. I'm excited to know that next time I'm down....I can meet up with these sweet girl:

Meet Alexa from The Short and the Sweet of It! She and Kirby write an adorable blog filled with fashion, food and tons of inspiration! I can't think of anyone better to tour us around San Diego!

Hello sweet Schue Love readers! I was so excited when Natasha asked me to guest post on her adorable little blog and even more stoked that I get to share a little bit about my home city of San Diego! In all fairness I don't live in San Diego proper, so you're getting a dose of La Jolla, Pacific Beach and Del Mar (all of which are less than half an hour from downtown).

Full disclosure: I'm kind of a Northern California girl. My heart is in San Francisco and that's where it will always be. However, San Diego is by no means sloppy seconds. I have fallen in love with the casual beach style, the temperate weather, which is the best for al fresco dining and the smell of salt air. Seriously, there are not many things that are better than the smell of the ocean.

I have a lot of love for small local boutiques, and Capricorn in La Jolla is one of my favorites. Just look at that sweet strapless dress!

One of the reasons I miss San Francisco is the diversity when it comes to dining options. Oh Burma Superstar how marvelous you are. But Sbicca in Del Mar has outdoor dining with a view of the ocean. And on Thursdays all wines are 50% off! I mean come on.

My laptop and I hang here three days a week. I drink chai lattes and listen to their tracklist of old- school Stones and Bob Dylan tunes. It's pretty awesome.

I snapped this photo at the Americana Restaurant in Del Mar because everything about this shot is so "Beach Style California." From the succulents to the dog biscuits to the old funky mailbox. I love it.

Lastly, the beaches are amazing. The top one is right near the playground Mila and I go to and the bottom one is during a stroll along La Jolla Shores, the perfect spot to say "I Do."

Thanks for having me over Natasha. I am getting so excited for you and the arrival of your little boy!

*

Ok, I'm so ready to dine al fresco at Sbicca and go shopping at Capricorn {my sign!} aren't you? Can't wait to get back there! Thanks so much Alexa for showing us around!

And in case you've missed our previous travels:

San Francisco
Seattle

xo natasha

Also...be sure to stop by Amy's blog to learn more about the evolution of our kitchen! Amy is moving into her new home this week...so I'm hoping this inspires some reno projects! ;)

Showered in Tahoe

2012-05-16T07:58:00.002-07:00

This past Saturday was my second baby shower in Tahoe. I was super blessed with gorgeous weather, especially being in May. I'm pretty sure it was snowing this time last year! Ryan's mom and Grandma hosted the shower for me and it could not have been more perfect. Here are some photos from the day.

Gift bags for the game winners!

Wishes for Baby Schue...I'm putting together a book for Baby Schue to read one day!

Blue beads for the "cute" game! :)

Tissue poms, handmade by my talented Mother in Law! :)

Adorable onsies to greet guests at the door!

View of the front yard...spring is here!

Baby Photos...wonder who Baby Schue will look like?

Gorgeous day! We got to take in this view while eating brunch!

Delicious cupcakes from Sugar Pine Bakery. Carrot and chocolate...both were delish!

How cute is this picture of Ryan? All the kids take a photo in these cute outfits at age 4. Can't wait for our little guy to have his picture taken! :)

Me with the gracious hosts...Baby's Grandma and Great-great grandma!

From left to right: Baby's great aunt, great grandma, me, auntie, and grandma!

My dress is from Anthropolgie.

And here are my shoes. They were surprisingly comfy considering my state!

The party favors: cake pops! And boy were the amazing! My co-worker and good friend made these for the shower and they were just as good as they look. And how cute is the sign? :)

Opening gifts....notice the cute little guy front and center! He is almost exactly one year older than our bun in the oven and I'm sure they will be best friends! :)

And a sweet gift from Baby's Aunt Lauren! He is already so so loved! :)

Sorry for the lack of "people" pictures...clearly I was too busy enjoying the day! But it was a ton of fun...and made me feel so so special! This little man has a lot of family and friends who spoiled him rotten...he's one lucky little baby!

You can find pictures from me first shower here.

I'm officially 35 weeks today! Getting closer...update to come on Monday!

xo natasha

Tomato & Goat Cheese Quiche

2012-05-15T07:53:00.000-07:00

With Mother's Day being this past weekend...and the usual brunch that accompanies that particular holiday, it got me craving quiche. {And if I'm being really honest...it doesn't take much anymore to get my cravings going!} Anyway...I have always loved quiche, but have never attempted to make it myself. I was surprised with how easy it is...and also with how many different ways you can make it.

I love goat cheese and spinach...and heirloom tomatoes. So I thought...why not try it all together? It was super tasty!

I used a store-bought pie crust and added all the fillings. The goat cheese and tomatos did create a lot of moisture, so I might use a firmer goat cheese next time, but it did not compromise the taste one bit.

Ingredients

Store bought pie crust
Goat Cheese, about a cup. I bought a log of goat cheese.
Half of a white onion, thinly sliced
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 cup of fresh spinach
1 heirloom tomato, sliced
4 eggs
1 cup of milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 375. Add about half of the goat cheese to the bottom of the pie crust. Sauté the onions over medium-low heat with some olive oil, until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute. Add the spinach until wilted. Pour that onion/garlic/spinach mixture over the goat cheese. Add sliced tomatoes on top. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and milk together. Salt and pepper to taste. Pour the egg mixture over the top of the pie. Add remaining cheese to the top. Bake for about 45 minutes or until the center comes out clean.

I served mine with some fruit salad...it was delish!!

Hope you enjoy...Bon Appetit!

xo natasha

Linked to: Tasty Tuesdays

34 Weeks!

2012-05-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

How far along? 34 Weeks and 5 days

Baby Size: About the size of a cantaloupe or butter squash...getting bigger!

Total weight gain: 23 lbs and growing...

Maternity clothes? Still a mix of both. The outfit above is actually non-maternity. The top is LAmade and the maxi skirt and jean jacket are Gap. It's gotten warmer here so I'm taking advantage of skirts and dresses.

Stretch marks? Still in the clear!

Sleep: I can't complain...I still sleep pretty well. Shifting from side to side is a huge effort and I get up to use the bathroom about once a night. But really...it's not bad at all.

Best moment this week: Having my Tahoe baby shower and getting to enjoying Mother's Day! :) I'll share photos later this week!

Miss Anything? Bending over...feeling more energetic...not being bloated!

Movement: Oh yes...more hiccups! And his auntie got to feel him move for the first time...so neat!

Food cravings: Lots of sweets...mint ice cream, fruit, PB&J's, cran-raspberry juice. Yum!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing new.

Gender: Boy!!

Labor Signs: No...not even braxton hicks!

Symptoms: Large tummy, getting more bloated in the heat, feeling more tired, aches and pains. You know...the usual.

Belly Button in or out? It's still in a funky state of being out on the top and flat on the bottom. Who knows? My linea nigra is in full effect...it's crooked too!

Wedding rings on or off? On...though sitting outside this weekend, my fingers swelled up! Got to be careful.

Mood: I'm excited to meet this guy SO soon now...it was great showering him this weekend and getting excited with our friends and family!!

Looking forward to: Getting our maternity pictures back and continuing work on the nursery...it's ALMOST finished...just need to add a couple finishing touches.

xo natasha

A Mother's Love

2012-05-13T10:41:00.001-07:00

This Mother's Day takes on new meaning as I approach motherhood myself. I am so fortunate to have a mom and grandmother that love me unconditionally...and now, Ryan's mom and grandmother in my life. They have taught me how to love and be loved...and I can't wait to pass that along to my son.

Wishing all the moms and moms-to-be a very special Mother's Day today!

xo natasha

Friday Fancies::Eclectic Weekend

2012-05-11T07:56:00.001-07:00

Shirt // Earrings // Blush // Shorts // Necklace // Platforms // Clutch

I've got a lot going on this weekend between my baby shower and Mother's Day! It's got me moving in a couple different directions...which is how this look was born. There's a lot to love here between the striped shorts, chambray top, neon necklace, and leopard earrings. But somehow, I think it all works.

I can't wait for my shower tomorrow...and of course I'll share of the details with you next week! ;) Hope you all have a great Mother's Day Weekend!

xo natasha

Beautiful Kitchens for Spring

2012-05-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

I was recently contacted by the lovely people over at Arcadian Lighting to see if they could write a guest post for for us. I love the idea of showcasing beautiful kitchens {and ways to light them!} so this seemed like a great fit. Get ready for some yummy inspiration! :)

Hi everyone! I'm Jessica, a writer for Arcadian Lighting. Every day I get to search for the latest

interior design ideas and then share them with lovely bloggers, like Natasha. Today, I'd like to share a

collection of beautiful kitchens that evoke the feeling of Spring. Brilliant pastel colors, fresh bouquets

of flowers and bright, cheery lighting fixtures will transform any run-of-the-mill kitchen into a colorful,

invigorating space. Enjoy!

{via}

The bright green color may not be an obvious choice for the kitchen, but this color is perfect for a jolt

of energy just in time for Spring. I love the alphabet used on the cupboard doors.

{via}

Fresh flowers should always have a place in the kitchen, no matter what season. But the rustic wooden

drawers and polished metal bins add a lovely farmer's market feel to this kitchen.

{via}

A burst of yellow from the tiled back splash absolutely illuminates this kitchen and makes it feel like a

sunny, Spring day. The trio of modern pendant lights are a great choice.

{via}

Sky blue is always a great color for any room, but when paired with white in the kitchen, the effect is

brilliant. A slightly lighter shade of sky blue counter tops help keep the room bright and airy.

{via}

A dusty blue wall color and blue floral prints give this kitchen a chic, feminine atmosphere. I love the

bold blue glassware scattered throughout the room, as well.

{via}

A few splashes of color will quickly transform an all-white kitchen into a celebration of Spring. The

modern chandelier really adds a unique twist to this traditional kitchen.

{via}

Mixing a few pastel seat cushions and accents take this minimal kitchen from simple to fun. The

turquoise lining on the curtains help elongate the room, as well.

{via}

Pale pastel décor is perfect for a more shabby chic feel. I love that each of the chairs is painted a

different color.

I have to say...the green kitchen stole my heart...along with the modern chandy in the third to last kitchen. Thanks to Jessica for this awesome post!

xo natasha

P.S. I feel it necessary to let you know that I was in no way compensated for this post...just a fun thing I thought you would all enjoy! :)

Gift Guide for Mom

2012-05-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is this Sunday and of course it has me thinking of gifts that would be great for my mom and gifts I would love for myself...given that I'll be a recipient soon! ;)

I'm lucky to have some very talented sponsors...so I scoped out their shops for ideas.

Silver Lining Decor has gorgeous baubles that are perfect for mom. I am especially drawn to these beautiful vintage dangling earrings. The pearl and crystal is a great combo and ultra classic!

Keller Creative Designs customizes paper goods for any occasion. She has a great variety of invitations, greeting cards and stationary. I love the idea of personalized stationary for mom. Kim is also offering gift certificates for any custom order!

LouLou Sucre is my newest sponsor and has some great items in her shop, including this personalized cutting board. If you saw my post yesterday...you know how versatile a great cutting board can be, especially for putting together a cheese platter! :)

Some other ideas for mom...

Have you checked out The Shops at Target? I've been hearing a lot of great things about this newest debut and have to say that the Privet House Collection has definitely caught my eye. How cute is this coral votive candle?

And for the tech savvy mom...how about a uber chic iPad Case a la Tory Burch? Love how bright and cheery this one is.

For more ideas...visit my gift guide from last year...here!

What are you getting your mom this Mother's Day?

xo natasha

The Perfect Cheese Platter

2012-05-08T07:29:00.001-07:00

If there's one thing I love about being a grown up...and living in my own home, with my husband...it's entertaining. I love having friends {and family} over to dinner and making it a special evening. I especially loved it when I was able to indulge in wine {and other alcoholic beverages}, but I digress...

One of my favorite things to do is put together a cheese platter. There are probably a million different ways to do it too...which makes it fun to experiment. Here are my tips to create a perfect cheese platter.

First the whole basis of the platter: cheese. I suggest having 2-3 varieties...usually a soft cheese, stinky cheese and a hard cheese. My favorite soft cheese is brie, stinky cheese is gorgonzola {or blue cheese}, and hard cheese is parmesan {or some variety of the sort}. It's always fun to experiment, especially if you have a specialty store nearby. You may be surprised with what you like! Also, be sure to bring your cheese to room temperature before serving. Oh and for those of you wondering...I have the clear to eat soft cheese during my pregnancy...as long as the milk is pasteurized. Hallelujah to that!

Next, I like to have a garnish with my cheese. I love fig jam. It is my absolute favorite and really brings out the best in the cheese. It adds the perfect sweet to the salt.

Speaking of sweet and salty...it's nice to have some fresh fruit, like grapes and other fruit. My favorite is dried apricots. And for the salty, I love kalamata olives.

Last, make sure you have a couple different options for crackers or bread. They should be hearty enough to withhold the cheese and bite size.

Arranging it is also fun! Make sure to have a big platter or cutting board to display everything. It's nice to have a variety of color, since the cheese can tend to look pretty bland. I like to add some green leaves to brighten it up.

Some other options I like to include with my cheese platter are:

Marcona Almonds

Prosciutto

Lavender Honey

Oil & Vinegar

Strawberries

What's your favorite cheese platter item?

Hope you enjoy! Bon Appetit!

xo natasha

Linked to: Tasty Tuesdays

33 Weeks: 44 days to go!

2012-05-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

How far along? 33 Weeks {due date is quickly approaching...June 20th!}

Baby Size: A little over 4 pounds and 17 inches long! Wowzers!

Total weight gain: 22 pounds at my last appointment
Maternity clothes? Yes and no...very pleased with how many non-maternity dresses are fitting. This one is maternity though...from Old Navy. Couldn't pass up the cute chevron pattern!
Stretch marks? No...but this belly is getting bigger every day. Scary!
Sleep: Happy to report that I sleep well...but I've been getting more foots cramps and got a NASTY calf cramp on Sunday morning. No bueno. Oh and I've been finding myself sleeping on my back, which is also not good. Oops!
Best moment this week: Let's see...we had another appointment this past week...which is always fun to hear how baby is doing. And this past Tuesday was our first birthing class. Got to see a live birth...yikes! And we also took a couple more maternity shots since the sun was not fully cooperating the first time. Excited to get them!
Miss Anything? An ice cold, tangy and salty margarita!!! Seriously.
Movement: This little man is a mover and shaker. Got to feel his first hiccups this past weekend...so neat!
Food cravings: Still loving my PB& J's, mint ice cream sandwiches, cran-raspberry juice. Really anything sweet.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Eh not really...just still avoiding red onions.
Gender: BOY!
Labor Signs: Nope, not even braxton hicks. Knock on wood.
Symptoms: Just getting bigger and more achy. It's starting to take a toll...and I still have 6+ weeks to go. Oy!
Belly Button in or out? Ummm it's puckering out...pretty sure it can be considered more of an outie than an innie.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Happy, anxious and ready to meet him!
Looking forward to: My Tahoe Baby Shower this weekend!! So excited to celebrate this little guy with those I love most! :)

xo natasha

Friday Fancies::Kentucky Derby

2012-05-04T07:54:00.000-07:00

Necklace // Wedges // Ring // Dress // Hat // Sunnies // Purse

There is a lot going on this weekend between Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby! As for my plans...it will be pretty low key! Maybe a margarita mocktail is in order?

If I could do anything this weekend...I would love to attend the Kentucky Derby! I mean, how often do we gals get to wear big floppy hats and dress up for such an occasion? I saw this dress on Veronika earlier this week and love it! And the mint is a fun accent color...naturally.

Do you have any plans to celebrate the upcoming events this weekend? Time to share so I can live vicariously through you! ;)

xo natasha

The Coveted Bubble Necklace

2012-05-03T07:43:00.000-07:00

By now, you're all familiar with the super popular J.Crew bubble necklace:

But for a whopping $150, I never envisioned justifying the price tag.

Then an amazing thing happened.

Katie, from Keep Calm and Carry On, blogged about finding a knock-off on Ebay...for not half off, or even 75% off...try $15. Yep...you heard me right. $15!!! And according to her review, it was actually well made and looked almost identical! Well, for $15, I was willing to go for it. And believe me, I'm not very trusting of Ebay at all. Especially when it comes all the way from China {interesting side note...the necklace was shipped from Shenzhen, China, which is where one of my very best friends is living right now! How ironic and serendipitous is that?!}.

It finally came this past Monday...and I have to say, I LOVE it!

It's a great size and color and I am already having a blast putting all the pairing possibilities together!

In fact, I'm kicking myself for not buying it in more colors!

You can buy your very own here.

And because this little beauty came too late to take with my maternity photos...I did a little impromptu shoot in my backyard.

The real photos will be MUCH better...promise! ;)

Hope you're having a great Thursday!

xo natasha

Introducing Casey Grace Design!

2012-05-02T07:57:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled and honored to introduce you to a new venture that my bestie Courtney, from A Thoughtful Place, recently revealed. She and her sister have joined forces to open their very own design firm...

If you're not already family with Courtney's aesthetic, you must check out her blog. This girl is majorly talented and has a real eye for design. And by the looks of it, her sister is equally as talented! Their design work is tremendous and I could not be more excited and proud of Courtney for following her dreams and opening this firm with her sister. Check out some of their work below:

Gorgeous right? Many of these images are from Courtney's own home. Totally in love. Can't they move to Tahoe?? ;) Lucky for us, they offer online style boards and in-person consultations {in the Orange County area}!

The rest of their portfolio can be viewed on their website, here. Be sure to stop by and take a look!

I wish Courtney and Kristin all the success in the world! Cheers!

xo natasha

PS...the winner of the LouLou Sucre necklace is Amanda from Eloquent English! Congrats!!

Jane's Salted Caramel Cupcakes

2012-05-01T07:54:00.000-07:00

Boy are you all in for a treat today! My bloggy friend, turned real life bestie {she lives in Tahoe now!}, Jane from In the Pink and the Green, made the most UH-mazing cupcakes this past weekend. And lucky me, I got to taste them first-hand. Not only are these super appetizing to the eye, but they are beyond delicious! And just when you think it can't get any better...there is an ooey gooey caramel center! I bring you...the salted caramel cupcake!

Umm, how amazing do these look? And I assure you, they are 10000000 times better in real life!

We had Jane and her husband over for dinner & game night this past Saturday night. Knowing that Jane enjoys baking, I asked her to bring the dessert. And let me tell you...she did NOT disappoint! All of our guests had a least one...if not two! They were that addicting. And did I mention there was a caramel center??

{Photos courtesy of Jane!}

Oh yes...and she made that from scratch too! Visit Jane's blog for the full step-by-step and recipe! And then get your booty to the kitchen to bake away!

Thanks to Jane for letting me share! I plan to savor the last left-over cupcake tonight! YUM!

xo natasha

P.S. Last day to enter my LouLou Sucre necklace giveaway!