Do the Hustle

getting creative.

2012-01-23T18:35:00.001-05:00

i just hit 37 weeks, with not much by way of maternity clothes. as a matter of fact, the only maternity clothes i've bought are three pairs of jeans. now that it's mid winter, i'm learning to be very creative with the layering of the clothes i currently have. well either that, or i just throw on some leggings, an over-sized sweater, and any boots that still fit my swollen feet, and call it a day.

if i hit my due date {feb 13} i've only got 3 weeks left. 3 weeks! can you believe that? nesting has gone into full-force as we highly anticipate the ~~early~~ arrival of baby m. most things that i'm crossing off my list these days aren't too interesting but all important in my eyes. hubs thinks i'm crazy as i fold and re-fold baby girl's clothes, sorting them into different piles and placing them into new locations each week. to be honest, i think they might call that going stir crazy versus nesting. but whatever it is, i'm ready! come on girlfriend!

it's a baby shower.

2012-01-18T21:37:00.000-05:00

my baby shower was last weekend, which is making this whole thing seem very real! my beautiful hosts threw the most stunning shower that i still can't get over. it was incredible, and i'm so lucky to have such great friends!

carnival-themed children's books lined the walls while feathers, candy peanuts, beads, and other carni goodies filled the tables.

lots of delicious food! i could eat kelsey's caramelized bacon strips on a stick every day of the week if given the chance. isn't the banner adorable (thanks kylie). it's already hanging over baby's crib!

treats.

2012-01-18T10:03:00.000-05:00

you can't act too surprised that we managed to stop at all these delicious places in just three short days,

now can you?

{1} grimaldi's pizza :: {2} the city bakery hot coco

{3} jacques torres chocolate chip cookies :: {4} bar suzette crepes

{5} shake shack :: {6} levain bakery

{7} & {8} stand 4 toasted marshmallow shakes

puh-lease, you know my track record.

and trust me, baby m likes it.

wtc memorial.

2012-01-17T23:55:00.000-05:00

i'm embarrassed that i've lived two blocks from the world trade center memorial for nine months and have just now paid it a visit! despite the frigid weather {and we being severely underdressed}, it was still a pretty remarkable experience. not only is the site beautiful, but it brings back some pretty vivid memories of the day.

family + friends.

2012-01-15T19:30:00.002-05:00

oh hello!

i'm back after a fabulous week with these lovely folks. i've got the best family and friends

who came out for one last hurrah before baby m makes her appearance.

{which, btw, is hopefully 4 weeks or less!}

baby corner.

2012-01-05T21:30:00.002-05:00

step right up, ladies and gentleman! i've always had a little thing for carnivals, and not because of the clowns because, quite frankly, they scare me. but i do love everything else carni: the colors, the rides, the lights, the banners. hubs thinks i'm a nerd, but oh, i love carnivals! and i knew i wanted baby m's corner to reflect this. while unfortunately she doesn't have a whole bedroom for me to decorate, i'm taking her corner seriously and getting down to business. here's my style board of everything i want and/or have purchased. isn't the chandelier fabulous? now, i just need to learn how to install it. successfully. above my child's head... help!

happy new year!

2012-01-03T23:53:00.002-05:00

baby girl is coming next month. did you hear me? next month, people!!

how is it already january, and how is it already 2012?

while the hubs and i couldn’t muster up enough strength to get real crazy for new year’s eve, we did enjoy a romantic dinner and a movie together. and while i'm on the topic of our dinner, has anyone else had the pleasure of trying sarabeth’s raspberry bread pudding? it’s sinful!

2011 was a good year for us, and it will be one to remember:

super bowl trip to dallas in february.

our move from east village to financial district in april.

a jaunt through italy in may.

seeing all of my family together again in july.

And most importantly, finding out we’re adding a baby girl to our family!!

2012—I couldn’t be more excited for you, and i'm ready for everything you’ve got in store for us.

I have a feeling you just might top 2011.

happy new year, everyone!

baby shower.

2011-12-30T16:49:00.002-05:00

my sweet texas friends & family threw baby m a shower last week. of course everything was adorable and above and beyond what is should have been considering it was the week of christmas!

the theme of the shower was "casey is ready to pop!" which included a whole spread of "pop" and "fizzle" foods and drinks. quite clever and very appropriate {although i think my face is getting bigger than my belly these days!!}

it was so thoughtful of everyone to think of me and baby girl at such a busy time. we were definitely spoiled, and i couldn't be more thankful for everyone who came to celebrate!

one big crazy christmas.

2011-12-28T20:20:00.000-05:00

it's only truthful {and i know you can all agree with me} when i say that going home for christmas can potentially be the most stressful time of the year. one big ~~happy~~ family back together under one small roof...you know the feeling. fortunately though, this year was quite the opposite. time flew by and i didn't want to leave. my family is crazy and loud and obnoxious and i love them more and more each year!

even with a preggo belly and all, you can't stop these dance moves!

best. christmas. gift. ever!!

every time my family gets together, we dust off the old vhs player and pop in family videos that are watched for hours upon hours. i can't say todd agrees with me when i say this, but i am more than thrilled to get these suckers on dvds and watch them night after night...after night.

belly rubs. a common occurrence these days.

2011-12-23T16:04:00.001-05:00

i thought it was just me, but apparently my family can't stop rubbing my belly either!

{but between you and me, baby m & i sort of like it}

nothing beats a solid game of white elephant.

2011-12-23T00:51:00.002-05:00

nyc :: dfw

2011-12-18T22:49:00.001-05:00

bags are packed and we're ready to zoom out of here

bright and early tomorrow.

i'm excited for good home cookin', some serious sister snuggle time, my first baby shower,

shopping, golf, and warm{er} weather!

dallas, here we come!

soldiers, mice, and sugar plum ferries.

2011-12-18T18:06:00.001-05:00

last night, hubs set aside his pride and took me to the ballet.

i've never been a big ballet enthusiast, but last night just might have changed things.

everything about the nutcracker was magical—the dancing. the dreamy colorful costumes. the snow!

it put me in the perfect christmas spirit.

and i've been humming the waltz of flowers all day.

our life in a snap.

2011-12-13T21:39:00.002-05:00

i just love my handy-dandy little iphone,

and the fact that i can capture all of life's little moment in an instant.

{if only my slr camera was as easy}

..........

santacon :: mini christmas village in the west village

max brenner

sibling date night

christmas crafts :: washington sq. park tree

new baby bag (!) :: baby emma testing out baby m's new kicks

blueberry, pumpkin, and oreo.

2011-12-11T14:02:00.000-05:00

this weekend was cold cold cold,

so we did a lot of eating to keep ourselves busy.

no surprise there, but i'm just thankful i have a big coat—and belly—

to hide it.

after hearing many good things about eileen's special cheesecake in soho,

we gave 'er a go and were not disappointed.

it was so good in fact,

we got one for todd, one for me, and one for baby.

buttoned up's christmas gift ideas.

2011-12-08T00:46:00.001-05:00

this year, the buttoned up team is spreading some holiday cheer

by helping you find christmas gifts for all those loved ones in your life—

without the hassle of pushing through crowds!

check out our latest posts on our top fashionable gifts for your mom and bestie.

what are some of your best gift ideas this year?

our lives via instagram.

2011-11-30T21:25:00.000-05:00

xoxo

lights & sparkles.

2011-11-28T21:48:00.000-05:00

oh, christmas tree.

2011-11-27T19:24:00.001-05:00

as a tradition, hubs and i love going together to pick out our christmas tree right after thanksgiving. this year, we thought it would be fun to make a big hoopla out of it by driving upstate and chopping down our own. instead, our eagerness got the best of us and we couldn't wait until morning, so we rented a car that night, drove around town, and loaded up the biggest pre-cut tree we could find. we may not have cut it down ourselves, but it is beautiful, smells delicious, and i love it just the same! oh, how i love the holidays!

so much to be thankful for.

2011-11-24T10:13:00.002-05:00

happy thanksgiving!!

hope your home is smelling as delicious as mine with baked pie and cooking turkeys.

while hubs is out playing football with the boys, i wanted to take a minute to list out all i'm thankful for this year.

there is so much and this list could go on & on if i had the time:

baby girl's kicks and tumbles

husband's sweet guitar serenades

kind people who give up their seats on the subway

fresh peonies

god's love and compassion

hub's love for his job

bubble baths

having my brother in nyc

the priesthood

my washer & dryer

working with my best friend

a fresh winter's snow

patience

chipotle chicken burritos

across-the-street subway access

my strong & able body

husband's smile

our growing family

my double vanity

making my dream business a reality

the comfort of grilled cheese sandwiches & tomato soup

living prophets

my frye boots

my parent's example of true love

warm, puffy german pancakes

loving in-laws

a healthy, growing baby girl

j.crew

eternal families

a sister's love

supportive friends & neighbors

contagious laughter

smiles from strangers

brunch

mint hershey truffles

as of late....

2011-11-22T22:22:00.000-05:00

this:

has been leading to a whole lot of

this:

i'm in trouble.

2011-11-16T17:02:00.003-05:00

i wasn't supposed to begin crewcuts for another 2 years!

what's a girl to do now!?

i need a pair of these

a couple of those

and this.

oh, i'm in love,
and can't wait to see what else comes out.

sweet november.

2011-11-14T12:35:00.001-05:00

saturday, todd and i strolled through central park, enjoying all of the changing leaves. since nyc had its unexpected snow storm the day we planned to go apple picking, this unfortunately has been our extent to enjoying the fall weather. since when did life become so busy?! luckily we picked a beautiful day—the weather was perfect and the park was glowing gold.

love on top.

2011-11-08T23:41:00.004-05:00

this song makes me so happy and instantly brightens my day!

and can we talk about this video?
her hair...her wardrobe...her voice...her moves...
amazing!

i love b!

and while we're on this topic,
have i mentioned that our girls are going to be besties?
since they are both due in february, i'm feeling pretty lucky that we'll end up
sharing a hospital room together.
{that is if she hasn't already bought out the entire east wing}

brgr.

2011-11-08T17:50:00.000-05:00

nothing smarter than milkshakes

on a freezing day!