schue love

Friday Fancies::Mint is the New Green

2012-03-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

Hat // Dress // Nail Polish // Earrings // Bracelet // Clutch // Platforms

We all know tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day! But instead of chugging green beer, I'll more likely be licking mint chip ice cream! Lucky for me, I love anything mint...including the color!

Tibi has really caught my attention...there are tons of maxis, shifts and asymmetrical dresses, like this one, that would not only be great for anyone, but particularly a preggo like me. With spring around the corner {this Tuesday to be exact!} I'm hoping I can start wearing more dresses towards the end of my pregnancy.

So...what are your plans for St. Patrick's Day?? Hope it's a fun one whatever you do!

xo natasha

P.S. If you want to make a sweet "green" treat for St. Patty's Day, consider making these! :)

Thoughts for Thursday

2012-03-15T08:09:00.003-07:00

First of all...THANK YOU for all your sweet, supportive, positive and awesome comments on the start to our nursery. You really made my day! We got the rug in yesterday and I am just so excited to see things come together! :)

I'm definitely loving all things spring right now. While the weather outside may be less than spring-like, I'm loving tulips and daffodils...they're oh so cheerful!

Have you heard of the new Rory Beca line at Forever 21? I'm kind of in love with this feather dress...so much so that I bought it...*hopefully* I can wear it now...otherwise she will be waiting for me this summer! There are so many cute things in this collection though...I want one of each!

A BIG congrats to Julie from The Girl in the Red Shoes...

AND Michelle from Ten June! BOTH announced they're preggers and BOTH had the cutest little idea...red shoes and all! ;) And hello, they're due about 4 days apart. Now if that's not serendipitous, I don't know what is! Super duper excited for them!

You may have noticed my little button on my side rail...I'm thrilled to be participating in Amy's "Ultimate Wedding Week" link party! Starting next week, you can check out guest posts on the above topics over at each fo the participating blogs. This is also your chance to link up your wedding or wedding inspiration! I'll be sharing photos and details on our ceremony on the 26th! Be sure to check it out and link up!

Last, I am over at Jane's sweet blog today, In the Pink & Green, talking about my favorite spring decor! Here's a sneak peek:

Be sure to check it out here!

xo natasha

Nursery Progress

2012-03-14T06:24:00.002-07:00

Well, it's safe to say, I'm in full-blown nursery planning mode. I realized that I've never had the chance to take a room and actually plan all the decor details out and then go full-steam ahead with putting it together. Normally I'll work with existing furniture and piece it together...over time. If there's one thing about having a baby on the way...the deadline is non-negociable! I feel like an interior decorator, and my client is Baby Schue! :)

Granted, a lot of this is still talk...we have a long way to go until we see a finished nursery, but I can at least show you what we've started!

First...we painted the walls! It's "Light French Gray" by Sherwin Williams. The actual paint we used is HGTV Home for Sherwin Williams in a satin finish. It's zero VOC and odor free. We chose this color because it was a very true gray...not too blue or purple like a lot of the comparables. It's also light which keeps our 10x10 nursery light and airy.

And here is the crib we chose!

Many of you know that we were pretty stumped for a while...we asked for your help here, and got a TON of insightful tips and help. Crazy enough, we went with a different crib all together! We ultimately chose the Baby Mod Olivia from Walmart of all places!

It turns out that the price was great {just under $300}, it came with a toddler rail, and I love the two-toned wood. It's also has non-toxic finishes, solid pinewood, and multi-levels for baby to grow into. I was initially worried that these modern cribs would be too short for me and hubby, but in reality, it's a great height. Since the rails are now stationary on all cribs, I am comforted knowing I can easily swoop the little guy up without worry or back strain.

Another detail you will notice is that we also got the mattress. I 100% contribute this choice to Erinn...who had done extensive research on both the crib and mattress. It's the Naturepedic No-Compromise Lightweight Organic Classic 2-Stage Mattress. Her explanation is much more detailed than mine, so hop over if you're in the market for a crib mattress.

Oh and the little lion is from Anthropologie! It's by Jellycat! :)

Overall, I am super happy with the choices we've made so far! I adore the wall color and crib! We have a long way to go, but I have already ordered an area rug, rocker, decorative pillow and am about to pull the trigger on drapes. More to come in the following weeks!

xo natasha

Copycat Firestone Burger

2012-03-13T08:05:00.001-07:00

Hi Friends!

Many of you know that I was ~~really~~ a little peeved when hubby didn't bring back the salad dressing from our college town. Well, luckily, he more than made up for it by bringing back some BBQ sauce from the infamous Firestone Grill! Major kuddos to him! :) Firestone Grill is the cornerstone of San Luis Obispo...they have amazing tri-tip sandwiches, BBQ sauce and fries. YUM! I was happy to try and recreate my favorite menu item, the chicken sandwich, complete with BBQ sauce. :)

Luckily, I had success! It was super delicious! And though I can't share the sauce recipe, I thought I would let you know how I constructed this little piece of heaven.

Recipe

Wheat Buns
Chicken Breast, seasoned with garlic salt and fresh ground pepper
Lettuce
Tomato, sliced
Avocado
Monterey Jack Cheese, sliced
Sliced Onion {you know I skipped this step}
BBQ sauce {preferably a sweeter sauce that you loooove!}

We BBQ'd the chicken and melted the cheese on top. Construct the burger according to your liking and enjoy! Serve with fries or a salad!

xo natasha

Linked to: Tasty Tuesdays

P.S. I'm sharing more about myself over at Emily's sweet blog, All You Need is Love, today! Check it out!

25 Weeks: 100 More Days to Go!

2012-03-12T00:01:00.001-07:00

How far along? 25 Weeks...only 100 more days to go!

Baby Size: An eggplant or rutabaga...about one and a half pounds.
Total weight gain: 13-15 pounds
Maternity clothes? I've found that a lot of my dresses work well as tunics now...like this dress. It's been great to re-purpose my closet.
Stretch marks? Not yet...
Sleep: Sleeping great with my mounds of pillows. Hubby was out of town this past weekend so it was nice having ALL the extra space! ;)
Best moment this week: I had my first person ask when I'm due! SUPER exciting! Oh and the mattress arrived for Baby's crib. I'll post photos this week with details.
Miss Anything? Not missing a ton right now...just taking it all in!
Movement: He's moving and grooving in there...complete with ninja kicks and all!
Food cravings: Mainly cereals, shrimp tacos, and sweets.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing really...I'm actually worried I'll never have a taste for onions again...unless they're grilled. But it doesn't make me queasy, per se.
Gender: BOY!!!
Labor Signs: No.
Symptoms: I have pain on my left side behind my shoulder blade. I'm not sure if it's pregnancy related, but it's been with me all week. OH and I haven't mentioned a purple marking on my chest...right side. The doc said it was just normal pregnancy hormones causing it.
Belly Button in or out? Still in, but it's getting flatter in there.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: I'm still pretty happy...though I get emotional and cranky at times. Watched The Notebook the other night and was BAWLING!! OH and my hubby did not follow through on buying a salad dressing I wanted from our college town and I was definitely overly cranky/sensitive about it. Oops!
Looking forward to: Decorating more of the nursery...the rug should be here this week and I'm planning to order the curtains soon too! ;)

xo natasha

Friday Fancies::Spring Mix & Match

2012-03-09T08:01:00.001-08:00

Pants // Earrings // Blouse // Bracelets // Lip Gloss // Tote // Wedges

Ahhh spring is so close I can almost smell it! And daylight savings is THIS Sunday! YAYY! I'm so excited for longer days and warmer weather!

This week's look is inspired by a lot of what I love right now. First, I ADORE this Old Navy blouse {first seen on Natalie's blog}...affordable and cute! And something I can wear during this pregnancy...score! I am also loving the idea of floral pants, but not too sure that I could ever pull them off. It's definitely a bold look...what do you think?

I also have a big crush on these wedges...the nude color is great for both spring and summer.

Any big plans this weekend? I'll be catching up on all of your blogs and cleaning! Pretty low key!

Have a Happy Friday!

xo natasha

P.S. I'm sharing a little more about me over at The Yuppie Files...be sure to stop by and say hi!

P.P.S. The winner of my Harvey Prince Giveaway is...
#12! Miss Aubrey of All Things Bright and Beautiful!! CONGRATS!!!

Exclusive Minted Magazine Sneak Peeks!

2012-03-08T07:46:00.001-08:00

As many of you know, I had the extreme pleasure of contributing some fashion posts to the online magazine:

You can find my posts here, here and here!

If you're not familiar with Minted Magazine, then allow me to give you a quick intro! It's an online magazine created by two talented ladies--geared towards the modern career girl. Here's their spiel:

We’re suckers when it comes to a sparkly pair of heels. We prefer to channel our inner Julia Child by preparing meals at home. We’re constantly searching for the path to financial success by analyzing the latest stock market trends and our spending habits. The problem is, we’ve had to turn to so many different people to find the information we need when it comes to fashion, health, beauty, business advice … and life in general! We thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have one single resource to turn to?”

That’s how Minted Magazine came to be.

Doesn't it sound fabulous? The premier edition was spectacular...you can see it here.

They're getting ready to launch their spring edition of Minted and I am pleased to give you a couple sneak peeks!

Here is the cover, featuring Molly of Glass Heel!

"Our field is so competitive with so few women executives in the workforce— it's 3 percent of women. Women make up 56 percent of the workforce, so we're underrepresented and it makes us more competitive than supportive. A lot of it [my work] is to drive women, once they make it above the glass ceiling, to pull someone else up." - Cover girl, Molly Cain CEO and Co-founder of Glass Heel.

And of course, they will have some fun fashion and food {I'm telling you, girls after my own heart!}.

See how to incorporate yellow and nautical stripes this Spring!

Minted Mag is showing you how to make quick and healthy brunch recipes.

The issue comes out March 12th and is sure to please everyone from the fashionista, aspiring cook, career gal and more. So be sure to check it out! :)

xo natasha

Lately

2012-03-07T08:08:00.001-08:00

Happy Wednesday!

I thought I would check in on what's been going on over at the Schue Household lately. We've had some nutty weather...two big snow storms last week, then gorgeous sunny weather over the weekend...and now it's snowing again! Crazy! It's supposed to warm up by this weekend...thank goodness! Here's proof of the sunny weather:

Can't you just picture the belly getting a little sun??

Wilson LOVES the snow....he was actually panting in this picture because of how warm it was. He's definitely a Tahoe dog! Wilson had a good birthday this past weekend...our little furbaby is already 2!

Can't you see how excited he is? And how overjoyed Whiskers is? ;)

In other news...

I'm on the third book of the Hunger Games series, and I have to say, I'm losing steam {and interest!} on this last one. I know I need to finish it...but it is dragging on! Any positive reviews out there for motivation?

On a more positive note, I'm really into the new show Smash! The songs are catchy, the story lines are dramatic and I just love me some musicals. Anyone else watching? Also, cannot wait to see the finale of Bachelor next week. I thought the "Women Tell All" was veeerrry interesting. Anyone else notice how Courtney said "I cared about Ben"? I'm thinking this really will be the most shocking finale ever...or at least "After the Rose" show!

Last, I'm happy to report that things are moving along with the nursery. The walls are painted and the crib has been set up. Here's a sneak peek:

More details to come...but I couldn't help myself! I am getting so excited!!

Speaking of babies...one of my friends, Natalie of Nat Your Average Girl, just had her sweet little baby girl 5 weeks prematurely. Baby Blair is fighting to improve her condition every day but they could really use your thoughts and prayers. So if you have a minute, please stop by and check in on them.

Hope you all have a good day!

xo natasha

PS...only two more days to enter my Harvey Prince perfume giveaway!

Fluffy Coconut Cupcakes

2012-03-06T07:43:00.001-08:00

My mom-in-law came to the rescue again...she created these gorgeous and tasty cupcakes for Sunday night dinner and I couldn't help but feature them this week. Which is a good thing for everyone involved, because it's becoming harder and harder to whip up tasty Tuesday treats each week! I attribute this to the fact that I'm not entertaining nearly as much as before I was pregnant and it also takes a lot of effort to be original. So a big thank you to Mama Schue!

These are every bit as delicious as they look. Super light and fluffy cake with a sweet take on cream cheese frosting. I've always been a fan of coconut {hello Almond Joy...Samoas.....you name it} so it's no wonder I love these too! And once again, the recipe comes from the talented Ina Garten {Barefoot Contessa Cookbook}!

3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk
14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

For the frosting:

1 pound cream cheese at room temperature
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar, sifted

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 3 parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.

Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.

Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

Hope you enjoy! Bon Appetit!

xo natasha

Linked to: Tasty Tuesdays
{Click over for her tasty coconut treat today!}

24 Weeks-3D Ultrasound

2012-03-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

How far along? 24 Weeks
Total weight gain: Still looking like 13-14 pounds...steady wins the race, right?
Maternity clothes? Nothing new this week other than my baby shower dress, which I love! Still wearing mostly leggings and tunics.
Stretch marks? Still good in this department, although I think that little linea line is coming in...and crooked too...weird!
Sleep: Sleeping well and trying to enjoy it while I still can!
Best moment this week: It was unexpected, but the best moment this week was seeing our little baby boy at our 3D ultrasound appointment! It was so beyond neat...I highly recommend it! Here's Baby's first smile...my heart total melted.

Miss Anything? MMMM at the risk of sounding like a borderline alcoholic, I won't say booze this week. But in all seriousness, I feel fortunate that the second trimester has been really good to me. I really don't miss too much at all.
Movement: Yes, on a regular basis! Still so neat to see him move from the outside. According to my u/s tech, I'm probably feeling his rump more often than anything else. He was doing lots of stretches when we saw him!
Food cravings: Nothing too new...Life cereal, lemonade, cuties...french fries!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: Boy!
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: My back will get sore if I'm doing anything too strenuous, like standing for too long {seriously}. Oh and I got my moles removed from under my arm and keeping a bandaid in my armpit has not been too fun. Not really related to pregnancy other than they got HUGE due to my hormones, so they had to go.
Belly Button in or out? Still in
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: HAPPY
Looking forward to: We painted the room this weekend which is making everything SO much more real! :) Our crib is scheduled to get here today so I can't wait to see it set up in the room. Lots of progress!

xo natasha

Friday Fancies::Tangerine Tango

2012-03-02T07:45:00.002-08:00

Necklace // Jeans // Sweater // Top // Earrings // Tote // Bracelet // Boots

It's no secret that "tangerine tango" is the Pantone color of the year...and isn't it a beauty? I love how fresh and vibrant it is...it really livens up any outfit. Ironically, winter has finally showed up in Tahoe...so I'm regressing a bit on my look this week. Thankfully the hint of tangerine tango adds just the right pop of color. I hope spring doesn't try and hibernate! :)

What are your plans this weekend? We got to have a 3D ultrasound of Baby Schue yesterday...can't wait to share some pictures! And now that the crib is ordered, we're going to paint the nursery! Yay! Thank you for all the comments and helps yesterday...I feel like I'm officially in full-swing baby nesting now! Oh and Wilson turns 2 today!! Check out his birthday post from last year!

Have a great weekend!

xo natasha

Psssst! Don't forget to enter the Harvey Prince giveaway...here!

Nursery Inspiration

2012-03-01T08:06:00.000-08:00

Happy March!

We've had about one month to let the news sink in that we're expecting a boy! And as you would expect, I've been furiously pinning away on Pinterest...trying to seek out inspiration and a color scheme. I had to switch gears in my mind...though I was totally open to the gender, it was clear I had been pinning slightly more feminine ideas. Boys are a little harder...I want something more modern and sophisticated, not too babyish.

We've officially ordered the crib and mattress, which I will save for a fun reveal, but now I feel like things are officially underway...so it's time to start making decisions! Here are some nurseries that have been a huge source of inspiration:

{via}

I'm pretty much in love with everything about this nursery! From the color scheme, to the crib {which is discontinued, btw}, to the whales on the chandelier and pillow, and the adorable map letters. It has everything I am looking for in our nursery!

{via}

This nursery has a similar color scheme and overall vibe as the last. I love the curtains and the cute pillow! I would also love to mimic the striped walls.

{via}

I'm totally digging the mix of patterns and how whimsical this space is. And again, it has the adorable blue, gray and orange color scheme that I'm digging!

{via}

Again, loving the gray striped walls and adore this rug! It's on my list! :)

{via}

There is a lot to love in this nursery! I can just imagine swapping the yellow out for orange. I also love the idea of creating a striped piece of artwork, which is featured through the link.

{via}

I'm not sure if we will be able to fit a rocker in the room, but I love this orange guy for something smaller. Also loving the wall color.

{via}

How cuuuuute is this little dachshund light?! Also loving the chevron rug and crib!

The bedding is what's stumping me the most! I really don't want to have a matchy crib set, so I'm thinking I'll just got for a crib sheet and skirt {no bumper}. Have you scoped out anything you love?

Oh and just so you can picture which room we're transforming, it's this guest bedroom.

We've got our work cut out...but I'm excited to get started!

xo natasha

PS...would love to have you enter my Harvey Prince perfume giveaway!

Hump Day Giveaway! Harvey Prince Perfume

2012-02-29T08:12:00.001-08:00

Have you heard of Harvey Prince? I hadn't and now I wonder how that's possible!

The company was co-founded by two brothers who were inspired to make a perfume for their mom on Mother's Day {insert total aww moment here!}. All of their products are used with the finest products--no toxic chemicals, 100% chemical free, and are made right here in the USA. The end product is a beautiful scent meant to empower women by making them feel young, happy, slim and sexy {what more can you ask for?}.

Naturally, I was thrilled when I was contacted by Harvey Prince and introduced to their perfume line! Of all their fun and inventive scents, I was most drawn to Yogini! It has sultry notes of sandalwood, grapefruit, star jasmine and more. It's very luxurious and lingers with you throughout the day. I was surprised with how sophisticated it is in person. It will definitely become one of my go-to perfumes to wear on a regular basis.

Harvey Prince has graciously offered to giveaway the Yogini perfume to one of you! Here's how to enter:

Be a Follower of Schue Love and
Like Yogini on Facebook
{one comment}

For extra entries:
Follow Harvey Prince on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Tweet about the giveaway {include @harveyprince and @schuelove in tweet!}

Be sure to leave a seperate comment for each entry!

This giveaway is open to international readers as well! :) The winner will be chosen at random and announced on Friday, March 9th! Good luck!

P.S. Look for my last installment on Minted today! This is my favorite look to date!

xo natasha

Do you Fondue?

2012-02-28T08:02:00.000-08:00

We got our first BIG snow storm yesterday...Tahoe is finally seeing winter! While for many, that means skiing and sledding...for me, it means, warming up by the fire and eating something warm and yummy! :)

I've always loved fondue and never realized how easy it is to whip up! It's great for parties or as an easy app. Plus the combinations are endless, which makes for some fun pairings!

Cheese Fondue Recipe

1/2 cup white wine
1 Tb flour
6 ounces cheddar cheese
6 ounces Monterey jack cheese
1/2 tsp garlic salt
A couple pinches cayenne pepper

In non-heated fondue pot, add in wine and flour and mix together until well blended. Turn fondue pot to high heat. Once boiling, turn down heat to simmer and let it thicken--about 1-2 minutes. Keep heat on low and add small amounts of cheese, while stirring. This should create a thick, cheesy mixture. Stir in garlic salt and cayenne pepper to taste.

The fun part is picking all the goodies to dip in the cheese! I like breads and apples myself...but really, there are tons and tons of options.

This particular fondue is super savory, but not too rich! The cayenne pepper adds a surprising flavor that really rounds out the cheese.

So tell me...do you fondue? What are your favorite combos?

xo natasha

Linked to: Tasty Tuesdays

23 Weeks: Baby Can Feel Me Dance!

2012-02-27T00:01:00.003-08:00

How far along? 23 Weeks. According to "What to Expect When Expecting" I'm in my 6th month...woah!

Baby Size: A pomegranate or a large mango! His little face is fully formed this week! Can't wait to see it for the first time!
Total weight gain/loss: 13 lbs. + {I will find out officially at my doctor's appointment today}. Update: official weigh in is 12-13 pounds. Good to know I'm on track! Baby is measuring right along and has a strong heart beat! :)
Maternity clothes? Still the usual...this is the new lululemon top that I told you about here. See how long it is!
Stretch marks? No, I am loving the Mustela cream I recently bought. Smells really good!
Sleep: Sleeping great... waking up at about 4am to potty, but that's about it. I now also have a pillow on my side to hep support my tummy.
Best moment this week: Finally deciding on our crib {details to come!} and getting my first baby shower invitation in the mail! My sweet friends back from home are throwing me one down in Southern CA! :)
Miss Anything? With the Oscars yesterday, I again...missed having a glass of champagne! Wah wahh.
Movement: Feeling him a ton...especially at night! I guess I know what his sleeping patterns are going to be like!
Food cravings: Ummm, let's see. Nothing really out of the usual.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope...even onions don't sound that bad!
Gender: He's alllllll boy!
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: Lower back aches, though the pillows have helped that while sleeping. Oh and those awful moles...I'm getting some of them removed under my arm this week...as long as my doctor okays it.

Belly Button in or out? It's in, but getting more flat. Kinda looks funny this week.
Wedding rings on or off? On...thank goodness for being preggers in the winter! :)
Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY! This trimester has been really wonderful so far!
Looking forward to: Meeting with HR to square away my maternity leave and getting the details secured on the nursery. If you follow me on Pinterest, you know I'm leaning towards a blue, gray and orange color scheme. More to come on this! OH and my doc appointment today!

xo natasha

Friday Fancies::Oscar Style

2012-02-24T08:04:00.003-08:00

Gown // Clutch // Earrings // Heels // Lip Gloss

It's Oscar Sunday...can you feel the buzz in the air? I am excited to watch the show, as usual!

It's not secret I love neon right now. And if I was an A-List Celebrity, I wouldn't hold back when it came to the red carpet! This Jason Wu gown is in one work: stunning. It definitely would take a confident lady to pull it off, but I can't think of a better way to wow the crowds than than the punch this dress gives.

Of course with such a vibrant dress, the accessories have to be subtle...which is why I chose black. However, each piece has an intricate detail that makes it special. And I think a hot pink lip really keeps this look fresh and youthful.

So will you be watching the Academy Awards this Sunday?

xo natasha

Travel Schue::Columbus

2012-02-23T05:22:00.000-08:00

We're back with another edition of Travel Schue! I love this series because we get to explore new cities through the eyes of local bloggers! I'm excited to introduce you all to Katie from Keep Calm & Carry On! This girl has a mad sense of humor and her blog covers a little bit of everything...from health & fitness, fashion, food, travel, and everything else. Plus she has a cute hubby and pup to boot! :) So give her a warm welcome everyone...take it away Katie!

Hi there, all you Schue Lovers:)

I'm Katie..

from Keep Calm & Carry On.

Nice to "meet" you today!

I may not live in the city that never sleeps, or in the land of fashion in LA, but I do love my city and can't wait to share it with you today for Natasha's travel series.

So, what city will you get to see a little glimpse of today?

Columbus, Ohio.

...try to control your excitement;)

Most of you are probably wondering what the heck there is to do in Ohio, and that's okay, I don't blame you. However, I can tell you, I was born and raised here and there is always something fun going on. I'm pretty picky, too. I've had multiple bloggers visit me here and they really enjoy it {aren't blog friends the best?} I wouldn't lie to you, promise.

First things first:

Let me just say...I'm a girl who loves her shopping and her food.

I tend to plan my day around what, or where, I will eat next,

and my husband will never understand my online shopping habits.

Moving on, I love trying new restaurants around Columbus and staying busy.

That's what life is all about, right?

So, let's get started.

My hope is that maybe you will want to come visit when I'm finished, too. :)

Eat

The Rossi
One of my favorite places to eat. It's in a trendy area in the Short North arts district, has great service, and affordable drinks & food.

Sushi Rock
Yum. Just yum.

Lindey's
Perfect for a romantic dinner with your significant other. After dinner, walk around German Village and see all the cute older homes.

Thurmans Cafe
(featured on Man vs Food for the massive hamburgers)

Short North Arts District

This area has so many options for dinner and many non chain restaurants. Enjoy a nice dinner out with friends in an up beat, modern area. One Saturday per month they have gallery hop, which is a great way to mingle, and see what Columbus has to offer!

...in the mood for delicious ice cream?

Go to Jeni's or Graeters (get the black raspberry chip) for the best of the best.

You can thank me later.

See

Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay Waterpark

The Zoo and Aquarium is rated in the top 5 in the US. They just got a new polar bear exhibit which is pretty awesome. Cool off at the waterpark and enjoy the lazy river!

The Ohio State University // Ohio Stadium

Home of the Ohio State Buckeyes and the famous horseshoe. It is known as the 2nd biggest campus!

Wyandotte Winery
...like wine? I don't think I need to say any more.

COSI

A huge science musuem with hands on activities for adults and children. I still have fun going here and I've been so many times.

During the summer months?

My two favorite events: the Dublin Irish Festival & PGA Memorial Tournament.
(both of these are excellent picks for the man in your life!)

Play

The Arena District
Bars and nightclubs up and down the street. A guaranteed good time for a night out.

Short North

Huntington Park
Enjoy an early evening at a baseball game here in the heart of downtown.

Nationwide Arena
Attend a concert or NHL Bluejackets game here.

Shop

Easton Town Center
A beautiful indoor and outdoor upscale shopping center.

High St
Perfect if you want to shop in boutiques with clothes you won't find anywhere else.

North Market Farmers Market
During the summer, this farmers market is one of my favorite Saturday morning activities. Listen to a live band or singer while you walk around and check out all the different vendors.

In addition to all these lovely things, if you LOVE being on the water like I do {that's me above with my hand up, haha}, you can travel 2 hours north of Columbus to Lake Erie to visit Put-In-Bay, go boating, and visit Cedar Point (one of the top rollercoaster themeparks.)

So, what do you think, friends?

Have you ever been to Columbus (or Ohio) before?!

*If you love to travel/have the vacation itch every so often like I do, come hop on over to my blog, say hello, and read my 3 recent posts about my "Blacation" (blogger vacation)to Naples, Florida.

...Yes, you ~~heard~~ read that right. My husband and I just got back from going on vacation with another blogger and her husband.

It was an ah-mazing time!!

Thank you so much, Natasha, for having me today!

I told you Katie wouldn't disappoint! I would definitely love to travel to Columbus and spend a weekend with her...we would undoubtedly have an incredible {and crazy!} time! :)

In case you missed the past Travel Schue locations..here they are!

New York
Chicago
Charleston

Where will we go next...you'll have to wait and see!

xo natasha

Shopping Confessions::Scottsdale Edition

2012-02-22T07:53:00.000-08:00

Hi Beauties!

I am super relaxed and even a little tanned from our getaway to Scottsdale. It was so nice to have four whole days of nothing but sun, rest, reading {I finished the second Hunger Games book!}, shopping, and great eating! We got to go to a movie theater called iPic where the chairs recline, there are pillows & blankets, and recliner-side service! You could order anything from booze to full meals...even candy in a martini glass! It was awesome!

I thought I would share some of my shopping finds with you...you know I have to take advantage when I get a chance to shop! ;)

This awesome top from lululemon is everything I have dreamed of and more! It's SUPER long in real life...which is great for a preggo like me and reversible. I am also loving the color...so pretty!

You know I am loving neon right now, so this Gap scarf totally spoke to me. I love the polka dots and it's really wide, which makes it more like a pashmina!

I got these flats in chalk and they are super comfy...more comfy than the other city flats I have. I think the elastic at the top helps. And bonus...they're on sale!

Oh yes, and I finally got the Volcano candle...it smells SOO good!

And because you can't go shopping without thinking of the little guy, we scored some super cute outfits for Baby Schue. This jumpsuit has little rhinos on it and a neon green detail. :)

I saw an adorable blue dress at Anthro that would be perfect for my shower...but now I can't find it online. Darn! Hopefully it shows up soon!

Have you shopped recently?

xo natasha

Mini Key Lime Tarts

2012-02-21T08:06:00.002-08:00

Key lime pie is one of my favorite desserts! I love how tart and fresh they are...perfect for an early spring treat. My husband surprised me with these on Valentine's Day and I was definitely in love.

Recipe {Our Best Bites}:

10 mini graham cracker crusts* (available near the regular graham cracker crusts in the baking aisles)
5 egg yolks
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
Around 1/2 c. lime juice. Fresh key lime juice is best, then regular lime juice, then bottled key lime juice. Fresh limes are key.
2 drops green food coloring (optional...we made these without the second time and they looked just as good}

Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl, combine egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and lime juice. Distribute evenly among the ten pie crusts and bake for 10-11 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool until they are room-temperature. Then transfer to refrigerator to chill until ready to serve.

We also topped ours with homemade whip cream. I'm sure Cool Whip or similar works just as well.

I think a little lime zest on top would make the perfect topper...especially if you don't dye the filling. These refreshing and zesty...and they're the perfect serving size.

Hope you enjoy...Bon Appetit!

Linked to: Tasty Tuesdays

Also, don't miss my "U" picks on A Simple Affair! It's a great series!

And I'm back with another fashion look on Minted Mag! This week it's how you can take your office look to happy hour! :)

22 Weeks: 1 Pound and Counting

2012-02-20T00:01:00.001-08:00

How far along? 22 Weeks

Baby Size: A papaya...baby is one pound this week!
Total weight gain/loss: 10+ pounds
Maternity clothes? Rocking long shirts and tunics. And of course leggings for the most part!
Stretch marks? Not yet...
Sleep: Sleeping great now that I have the pillow between my legs.
Best moment this week: Seeing baby move from the outside! So so neat...Ryan got to see it too!
Miss Anything? Umm sounding like a broken record, but being in Scottsdale {aka vacation} makes me miss indulging in wine...and margs!
Movement: Yes, lots of movement, mostly at night! :)
Food cravings: MMM we got salted caramel ice cream and it is SO good!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Doing pretty good in this department
Have you started to show yet: Oh yeah...the bump is out and here to stay!
Gender: Snips and snails, and puppy dog tails...that's what little boys are made of!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In, but it's definitely making its way out!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Happy for the most part!
Looking forward to: Doing a little shopping for Baby Schue {and my growing tummy!}.

xo natasha

P.S. Find me over at A Newfound Treasure today posting on her I Heart series! :)

Friday Fancies::Aztec Aesthetic

2012-02-17T00:06:00.000-08:00

Wedges // Skirt // Swimsuit // Earrings // Sandals // Dress // Bangle // Blouse // Bag

Happy Friday!

I'll keep this short and sweet, as we are currently in Scottsdale, soaking in the sun! :) Sadly, I am also currently without my suitcase {it will hopefully be delivered by now!} and it has me thinking of all the amazing items I wish I had in my wardrobe...particularly for this vacation. What's not to love about this amazing aztec aesthetic? Are you digging this trend? I know I am!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend!

xo natasha

Decor Updates

2012-02-16T07:39:00.000-08:00

Before I begin this post, I want to thank you all for your input, advice, recommendations and thoughts on yesterday's crib post! It was super helpful and really got us to narrow down our options. Of course, I'll let you know which one we ultimately pick!

Last weekend, we ran some errands down at the big box stores {which is a big deal when you live in a small town!}. It wasn't planned, but I found some great new additions to our living room! Remember how I told you I wanted to update that space {post found here}? Well I'm staying true to our 2012 honey-do list and got a jump start!

Here's what the living room looked like with the previous "red" color scheme:

I got rid of the red pillows and found these beautiful new light blue pillows at Marshalls! Here's a sneak peek:

You'll also notice the awesome new chevron lampshade from Target!

I also just bought these creme and brown zebra pillows. They really help to tie in the new color scheme, don't you think?

On the opposite side of the living room, I made a couple more changes. Here's how things looked before:

And here's a sneak peek of the updated look:

I added a table and new mercury glass lamp {also from Marashalls}!

The next thing to do is take down the "fruit" paintings that are on that wall. I'm thinking something abstract and painted will do the trick. Do you have a favorite artist or Etsy shop worth checking out?

It's definitely progress, that I'm happy with so far! I'll reveal the whole room once it's all squared away.

Have a great day!

xo natasha

Help! Crib Crisis!

2012-02-15T07:39:00.000-08:00

Friends! I need your help! The hubs and I are in a bit of a pickle...we can't decide which crib to purchase for Baby Schue. As I'm sure many of you can imagine, there are tons and tons...and TONS of options! Everything from traditional to sleek & modern. Stylish to eco-friendly and everything in between.

I always thought I would go for a white and traditional crib, but when we found out we were having a boy, I thought it might be too feminine. I've really come around to the modern design and how many of them are two-toned. Which brings us to our dilemma...which one to pick. I would love to get your opinion, whether it's from personal experience with one of these cribs or purely because of aesthetics.

This is the MUU All Slat Ray Crib...it retails for $795. I love the modern look and the two-toned wood. It's taller than most modern cribs at 37.5 inches and made from solid maple. It doesn't mention whether the white paint is non-toxic. I love the sleek design and the hint of wood tone at the bottom. It almost has a retro feeling.

This is the Babyletto Mercer 3 in 1 Convertible Crib, which retails for $359. It also has the modern lines and the two-toned woods. There is an additional drawer at the bottom, which I've read is kind of flimsy, so it wouldn't be used for any heavy duty storage. Babyletto is known for being baby-friendly with all of its non-toxic finishes and so forth. The downside about the crib is how short it is...only 35" tall.

Update...kind of in love with this similar looking crib by Baby Mod.

Next up is the Netto CUB 2.0 Sleeper Crib, which I found for $695. I actually like this one a lot! It comes in a darker walnut finish, but appears to be $200 more, which is just not gonna cut it. What do you think of the beech finish? Again, love that the finish is non-toxic, and it measures at 41"...though other sites show it measuring in at 36" tall.

Last, we all know how hard it is to teach old dogs new tricks. This is the Lolly & Me crib, which is the least expensive option at $299.99, and of course the most traditional. Despite it's more traditional look and low price point, this crib appears to have all the same toxic-free finishes of the modern options. The only thing it's missing is the two-tone wood, but maybe it's more versatile for children down the way. And it's also the tallest of the 4, measuring in at 43" tall.

Alright, so give it to me straight. Which one is your favorite? Do you have a favorite that I'm missing? I definitely appreciate your input!

xo natasha

Red Velvet Cupcakes

2012-02-14T08:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day Friends!

Do any of you have any fun plans tonight? Surprises today? Do tell!

I wanted to post a sweet little treat today in honor of the holiday. I guest posted this very recipe over at Laura's blog a week ago and thought this was too cute to pass up sharing with all of you!

For me, Valentine's Day is all about everything red, pink and sweet! Cupcakes are one of my favorite desserts, so I thought these red velvet cupcakes would hit the spot!

I love the combination of the chocolate cupcake with the savory cream cheese frosting. I don't make my frosting too sweet so that they're not overly rich. I thought these turned out perfectly...and how festive are these for Valentine's Day?

Red Velvet Cupcakes

{Barefoot Contessa's How Easy is That?}

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk, shaken
1 tablespoon liquid red food coloring
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
Red Velvet Frosting, recipe follows

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper liners.

In a small bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed for 1 minute, until light. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients alternately in 3 parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and mix until combined. Stir with a rubber spatula to be sure the batter is mixed.
Scoop the batter into the muffin cups with a 2 1/4-inch ice cream scoop or large spoon. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Cool completely in the pans and frost the cupcakes with Red Velvet Frosting.

Red Velvet Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (3/4 pound)
A couple drops of pink food coloring

Place the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and mix on medium speed just until combined. Don't whip! Add the sugar and mix until smooth.

Add a little heart or "lovebug" to make it that much more festive! :)

I hope you all have a great Valentine's Day!

xo natasha

Linked to: Tasty Tuesdays

P.S. I am beyond thrilled and honored to be a contributor over at Minted today! I'm talking about taking your office look to date night on Valentine's Day! Check it out here!

Week 21 Update!

2012-02-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

How far along? 21 Weeks

Baby Size: Banana or carrot
Total weight gain/loss: I think about 9-10 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Leggings and more leggings. Occasionally maternity jeans or dresses with tights, but it's getting less comfortable to have non-maternity tights and leggings squeeze my ever-growing bump! I'm thinking it's time to buy some Gap maternity leggings.
Stretch marks? No...just bought Mustela per Jessica's recommendation! :)
Sleep: While I've been sleeping well, my lower back is really taking a toll. I am now sleeping with a pillow between my legs to help out my lower back and hips. Oh the joys!
Best moment this week: Sounds silly, but I bought baby hangers and I loved hanging all his little things in his closet. Hoping to narrow down our crib choice this week so we can really start putting the nursery together.
Miss Anything? I missed having a glass of red wine on our date night Saturday...we tried a new Italian restaurant and it sounded good! But we did have the homemade chocolate gelato which more than made up for the wine! :)
Movement: Lots and lots of movement! And Ryan got to feel him move for the first time as we were going to bed. It was such a cool moment...totally made me emotional!
Food cravings: Hmm I have been craving a fried egg on toast the last couple days. Otherwise, nothing too unusual.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Overeating can make me feel blah...there's not as much room in there as you would think!
Have you started to show yet: Oh yeah baby!
Gender: Handsome little boy
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? It's in...but getting more shallow by the day.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood? Feeling happy and really enjoying this trimester!
Looking forward to: A little "babymoon" in Scottsdale this coming weekend! It will probably be my last "vacation" before the baby comes so I intend to soak in some sun and do some shopping for the little mister! :)

Oh and of course I'm looking forward to spending my last Valentine's Day as a couple! :)

xo natasha