Maternity Shoot- 35 Weeks

Lucky for us, we happen to have a VERY talented close friend Jillian Rose!

On a gorgeous Sunday, we met her in Malibu at Cosentino's Succulent Nursery for this little photo shoot.

  

Hope you aren't bored yet...

After finishing up at the nursery, we headed to the beach for a few shots with a bare belly!

(I was a little skeptical of this, but what the heck)

Cuties, my other pregnancy craving besides SPK's. 

I might have ate 10 or more of these on a given day.

My Love.

So many more, but that's a good taste of them!

Thank you Jillian for finding such an awesome/unique place to shoot and capturing such a special time in our lives.

We'll forever cherish these.

XO,
S & S

Cravings...

Although the weather has decided to turn winter all the sudden, I must share my favorite new place on the West side- Brian's Shave Ice. I've been several times since I was turned onto it and can't wait to go back again.  It's like a little piece of island right in my very own backyard!  The ice is shaved finely, they have a plethora of flavors and even play Hawaiian tunes.

Still can't get enough Sour Patch Kids, especially liking their new Berry flavor variety, no more green and orange! Since we are talking about SPK, here's a sneak peek at a shot from our Maternity Shoot with Jillian Rose Photography!

Can't wait to see the rest!

It's hard to believe we are due in less than 4 weeks!  So ready to meet our little love!

XO,
S

This and that...

This:

vs.

As most of you know, I'm pretty much an OCD clean freak, so cleaning supplies and things that smell good are almost as exciting as flowers and new shoes to me.  With a baby on the way, I've been trying to be more conscious about the environment and chemicals in these things...  Pre-pregnancy it was- what can make my floors gleam and who cares what's in it.  Recently, I was on a hunt for dryer sheets that would be okay for baby.  I found these Method Baby Dryer Sheets, but the smell was a little intense for me, however some might like and they definitely fluff and make your clothes soft (at least I think so).  While at a new baby store in Newport, Bel Bambini I picked up a box of these BabyGanics Dryer Sheets and I think I'm hooked.    Side note: Bel Bambini is a super cute store with lots of furniture and a great variety of baby/young kiddie stuff.  I believe there is one on  Robertson too. 

That:

On another note, I was in a cheapy mood while buying stuff at CVS over the weekend and picked up the TP on sale.  BAD/BIG mistake!!  Scott toilet paper is "worse than what they probably have in prisons," says my husband Shane.  Oops.  Note to self.  Spring for the plush stuff when buying TP.

This:

So Shane decided that while I'm 35 weeks pregnant, it would be a good time to do a pretty crazy cleanse and drop a few lbs.  Seriously?!  Shake and fruit for breaky, shake and protein bar for lunch, some almonds as a snack, shake and veggies for dinner.  All while wifey is not supposed to diet and has been pretty limited on exercise due to a pelvic bone that feels like it's breaking in two!  I'm proud of him for sticking to it and making it through 5 days of cleansing though.  Here's to hoping it wasn't that bad and he'll do this kind of thing with me when I'm not carrying our child anymore.  At the end of his cleanse he got sicky.  Poor guy was man down with a cold, similar to the ones I've mentioned in some earlier blog posts.  He had to miss our first birth class on Saturday.  Didn't want daggers thrown our way for bringing a sniffling fool to class.  Luckily, mom doesn't live that far and was able to pinch hit for him right at the last minute.  Click here for info on Birth and Beyond where we took our class.  It was rather informative and made me realize a few things I'd like to shoot for in the arrival of our little one.  For one, staying home as long as I can or until I'm in active labor before going to the hospital seems pretty ideal to me now. Part 2 is next weekend and I'm excited  to have Shane by my side.  One things is for sure in all this having a baby stuff... it's a wild unpredictable ride and I'm trying to prepare myself for the unexpected, while hoping for the best case scenario. 

That:

This weekend was GORGEOUS, like now I know why I endure traffic and other annoying LA crap to live here, gorgeous!  Yesterday we took maternity photos with my dear friend Jillian Rose.  It could not have been a more perfect day weather wise.  She found this amazing succulent nursery in Malibu, Cosentino's.  I wish I took a pic to share now, but you'll just have to patiently wait like me to see our photos, as the ones I've found online don't do this place justice. 

This:

Our nursery is 90% complete.  We are waiting on our glider, some canvases for over the Boo's crib and for hubby or neighbor Dan to hang a shelf (had to throw that in there since they both hate me for bugging them to get it up) and it will be finished.  I love spending time in there already and know that it will be truly complete when she arrives and we can share moments with her in there.  Can't wait to share when it's finally finished.  It's been fun and interesting collecting things from all over to achieve our vision while not breaking the bank!

Happy Monday!
XO,

S

Capo, Infant CPR, 34 weeks...

Follow up to date night at Capo!
Capo is the real deal, definitely among the finer dinning experiences I've had in my life! 

However, it will be reserved for VERY special occasions in the future.

(don't get me wrong, taking advantage of not having a bambino yet IS special, but not quite Capo Special)

Had to snap a shot of the $275 Russian Golden Beluga on the menu.

So despite the fact that I could have bought a piece of furniture for the price of our dinner, I have to say the food, service, environment and company all get an A+!

I wish I had pics of the food (but this is like a nice, no cell phones allowed kinda establishment), since I don't, here's a recap on the delicious food!

We started with fresh veggies and burrata and mushroom porcini soup (oh me, oh my)

Followed by a half order of their corn raviolis (the waiter said life changing and he wasn't kidding).

I ordered the Salmon Special which was grilled to perfection on this amazing stove they have.

(it was only $60, no biggie)

Shane ordered the Lobster Risotto, super rich but delish!

For dessert we had a blackberry crisp with their homemade vanilla ice cream.

Lastly, we received a complimentary plate of goodies from the pastry chef (hello, this could have been dessert). 

A miniature array of cookies, chocolates and biscotti. 
I couldn't eat another bite, but I didn't hesitate to ask for a doggie bag for the treats!

Ate them the next day and they were unbelievable. 

My love and I waiting for valet! 
My Target dress (not maternity and found in the juniors section) for under $20 was a BIG hit.
Would have just looked cheap and trashy if I weren't pregs, but for some reason a cotton tight striped dress looks rather cute with a belly (at least I think so).
Buy here.

We spent the rest of the weekend laying low. 

Sunday was our Infant CPR class.

Teacher was great, here's his website.

So glad we took it, but could have watched a tutorial online and probably learned just as much. 
Don't get me wrong, it's all VERY important and I appreciate the knowledge and ideas for emergency lists... but the actual infant CPR has been so simplified over the years.

In short, if victim is not responsive or breathing?

Begin chest compressions with two fingers. 

These compressions are at the point on the breast bone, at the nipple line.

Do 30 pushes (1/3 of chest depth)

If no response, lift victims chin and give two easy breaths (breaths have been omitted for adults).

Continue to do this until victim responds or help arrives. 

Glad Shane and I will be prepared in the event any little ones need us.

Hoping that will NEVER be the case!

Hard at work, practicing my technique.

XO,
S

Obsessed with Diapers.com and Soap.com

Who's not a fan of convenience?

I normally do my errands, aka. Target, Traders, Dollar Store, Cleaners, Home Goods... when I go into my office in Simi Valley.

As anyone on the West side knows, our Targets are few and far between. (insert SAD face here)

Trader Joes are EXTREMELY crowded and parking sucks.

Dollar Store is just more convenient in Simi.

Cleaners is less than half the price and does a better job.

And Home Goods in Simi is WAY nicer... 

Anyhow, I was turned on to Diapers.com as a place to register for my baby shower.

They have an amazing array of products, tons of helpful reviews, the site is easy to navigate and things are competitively priced. 

Did I mention the ship and arrive in like 2 days, HELLO- LOVE!

While on the site, I started to navigate the sites attached and discovered Soap.com which is THE BOMB! 

Both sites send coupons all the time, so in addition to the already well priced merch, you get additional discounts and it's easy to get free shipping too. 

I heart coupons and discounts (it's kinda a game to me, don't even get me started on GAP and Banana Republic). 

Yesterday, I ordered some of my favorite products right now.

Baby or not, this stuff is amazing.

As I've gotten older, I've become more and more cautious of chemicals in things I use often.

I've replaced most of my cleaning supplies with J.R. Watkins
I use this stuff on everything-walls, counters... and it smells good-BONUS!

You can buy on Soap.com or they do carry the line at Target.

Even our everyday lotions are filled with Cancer causing chemicals.

Not this one! 
Smells yummy too.

I've been man down again, SICK, SICK, SICK with what will be my LAST cold while pregnant. 

I'm on the mends, but have had my butt kicked once again. 

This is day 6 and I'm still struggling.

3rd Trimester is hard enough as it is.

Cold, PLEASE GO AWAY!  Thanks.

We've got a big weekend ahead of us that I'm looking oh so forward to! 

Shane has deemed Friday night, DATE NIGHT until the baby comes. 

It's always been "our" night, but we normally just stay home, cook, get take out and watch movies.

Since we'll be doing a lot of staying home, Shane has decided to be CUTER than Cute and make resos at local restaurants we've been dying to try.

This Friday is Capo.

I've heard great things, can't wait to report.

We had to cancel our first baby class last weekend, but we have another one this weekend. 

Infant CPR, here we come.

P.S. Another positively amazing feature of Diapers.com

When you register with them, they give you a $50 credit for every $500 spent on your registry.  We basically got our crib mattress for free!  Woohoo.

Happy Shopping and Cleaning!

Xo,
S



31 weeks and we've been showered with LOVE!

31 weeks- me and my O'douls, ready for Tessa's Super Bowl Party!

The 3rd trimester is definitely upon us! 

 I am needing to slow down whether I like it or not. 

We've had 3 amazing baby showers and feel so very loved and fortunate.

Little one's nursery is coming along and I can't wait to post when it's finished.

Our 1st Baby Shower was in Nor Cal at Shane's Dad's house. 

Hosted by Shane's mom (G'Ma), Susie and Dad (D3).

The weather and day were perfect!

Shane and Dad Q-ing it up!

Shane's all ready with his Diaper Dude Bag!

Our youngest guest, Baby Lucia and mommy Amy.

Reading our card from G'Ma... the entire box is filled with outfits for baby!

Wonderful friends both old and new! 

Our next shower was in LA and hosted by my amazing girlfriends and Mom!

We couldn't be more blessed with a more loving group of women in our lives.

They went above and beyond.

Here's some photos shot by another dear friend Jillian Rose of Jillian Rose Photography.

Kelly did a beautiful job on the flowers.

She's got such a green thumb.

Delicious cake!

Banner By friend Rachel Golden at *Golden* Sew Cute

Awesome guest book idea- everyone wrote a little note on a heart and they will be framed along with hearts made of vintage books.  PERFECT to hang as a keepsake in the nursery.

Buy here

<3 this handmade pillow gift from Megan!

Buy here

Grandma Bon Bon knitted almost all the items strung on the darling clothesline.

Yummy food from Layla's Mediterranean Restaurant where the shower took place.

My friend Amy sent this darling shower gift/activity down, since she couldn't be there. 

It's a scrap book that everyone fills out a page of wishes for the baby.

Last, but not least the hubby showed up with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a necklace that has our baby's name engraved on it.

Can't wait to wear it once she's born!

Such an incredible day with friends from all different times in our lives. 

To top it all off, my mom, her sisters and childhood girlfriends hosted another lovely shower this past weekend at Emilio's.

I don't have the pictures from this one yet, but here are a couple instagram photos I took of the sweet decor.

Onsie Cupcake

Mini Diaper Cake

Party favors. 

Now it's time to write A LOT of thank you notes and finish up the nursery.

My last business trip to Florida is this week, then I'll be working from home and getting ready for BABY!

Count down is on.

Cannot wait to hold our baby girl.

XO,

S