Ailee Petrovic

Week in Review October 19, 2014

Week in Review

Whew – what a week! It ended on a rather low point – mastitis (again!). Mastitis is a breast tissue infection that, quite frankly, sucks. I had it for the first time 6 days after Isla was born (on Sasha’s birthday!). This time, I was able to identify it early, as I knew those flu-like symptoms weren’t the flu! Thankfully, we got medicine very quickly and started the antibiotics, and I’m feeling much better.

Besides mastitis, the week was wonderful. Kirby, one of my best friends, was in town for a wedding, so we got to spend most of the day together on Friday and had a quick little visit on Sunday. Sweet Lillian is just gorgeous! See photos of their last two play adventures here and here.

Other highlights include:

Isla dying of giggles when Sasha was playing peek-a-boo with her (did you see last week’s giggle fit?)
Kicking butt in Strike class (quite literally – it’s kick boxing) at Life Time – I am addicted.
Attending Isla’s first neighborhood Spring Valley fall festival!
Getting our house ready for Christmas, i.e. two trees are up (explanation soon!) – which included multiple trips to Hobby Lobby, Anthropologie, West Elm, Crate and Barrel, IKEA and Home Goods.
Watching Captain Phillips – I never, ever watch TV or movies so had never heard of it, but I’m obsessed! Tom Hanks is incredible.
Seeing my good friend, Melissa, on Thursday after she left the office – have missed her!
Having friends over for Sunday lunch and then Sasha’s sweet cousins visit in the afternoon.
Eating dinner at Ruggles Green – hands down, the Texas Goat Cheese Salad is the best salad in Houston, Zoe’s Kitchen and Adair Kitchen.
Taking a trip to Common Bond – the very trendy new bakery in town (delicious coffee, lacking in vegan treats). I even updated my Houston weekend travel guide to include it!

How was your week? Tell me about it in the comments!

The sass.Ugh, over this.

Fashion October 17, 2014

Budget-Friendly Fall Trends

It finally feels like fall in Texas (hallelujah!) – I celebrated by buying these Paige Premium Skyline Skinny jeans (I am in love) at Nordstrom. I always regret saying this come January, but I am so ready for cooler temperatures!

Some of the fall trends can get a little pricey (hello, $1000+ leather pants), but I’ve rounded up budget-friendly ($200 or less) options of all the major fall trends, including capes (love this Tory Burch one!), overalls, leather pants, maxi dresses, and dark skinny jeans.

Happy shopping, and have a wonderful weekend!

PS Did you read Emily Schuman’s Crowdsourcing Guidance from Moms? It made me cry. So good. Oh, and make sure you’ve entered the Dr. Brown’s giveaway! It ends tonight at midnight.

Shop These Looks

I adore each and every one of the pieces above. I would absolutely love to have them all.

Décor October 16, 2014

Dream Home Office Spaces

I am sitting in our home office as I type this post, and while I love this little sanctuary room, there is quite a bit I would love to change… but that involves knocking down walls to create more natural light (cue Sasha rolling his eyes). I love a bright, clean, modern office – much like the dream laundry room, playroom, kitchen, master bedroom, and living room posts.

I’ve put together an assortment of my favorite home offices. I think that the essentials include:

Large white desk with lots of easily accessible storage space
A massive iMac (thank you, Sasha!)
White framed prints (with pops of gold and pink)
A bold, colorful rug
A shelf above the desk for above mentioned frames or books/knick-knacks
A modern, interestingly design office chair (we love ours from CB2!)
Foliage – whether it be a large ficus or small potted succulents, greenery is key
A unique lamp (my favorite is the Audrey Lamp from Lulu & Georgia)

Do you have a home office? If so, do you spend a lot of time there? What are your ‘essentials’?

Events October 15, 2014

Breathtaking Parisian Engagement Session

One of my closest friends from childhood, Amanda, got engaged last month while visiting Paris with her (then) boyfriend. Sasha and Scott are friends, so we are both extremely excited for them and their spring wedding in New Orleans. While in Paris, they had photographs taken by the very talented Stacy Reeves.

I absolutely die over these photos. Paris is my favorite city in the world (see travel guide here), and I just swoon at their strolls through the Palace Gardens, romantic tossing of a key on the lock bridge, romantic poses outside the Louvre, and breathtaking shots in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Isn’t this couple just stunning? I cannot wait to celebrate their big day with them in less than six months.

City Guide October 14, 2014

California Wine Country Travel Guide

Last summer, Sasha and I got married at The Carneros Inn in Napa Valley (see photos here and here). I am head-over-heels in love with the California Wine Country. I went for the first time in 2010 and have been five times since. Although I could spend an eternity there, I’ve created a travel guide which outlines two absolutely perfect days in Sonoma, Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. While most of my trips have been day trips, I’ve stayed at The Meritage Resort and Spa and The Carneros Inn (for the wedding). I highly recommend both, although The Meritage is more reasonably priced for a weekend trip.

Domaine Carneros // Frog’s Leap // Robert Mondavi

To make navigation a little easier, I’ve created a Google map with all of the recommendations below. Don’t want to drive around? Smart decision. There are lots of private drivers in the area, including Private Limousine Service, Wine Country Driver and Pure Luxury.

Please share with me some of your Wine Country favorites! I’d love to try them on our next trip. Click here to see a list of my other city guides.

Two Perfect Days in the California Wine Country

Day 1: Sonoma and Napa

Eat breakfast at FARM at The Carneros Inn (get there early and be prepared to wait – it’s worth it) – then play some bocce ball in the main courtyard when you’re done!
Drive to Domaine Carneros and walk up the majestic stairs to what reminds me of a French chateau – get your day started early with some amazing sparkling wine.
Leave Domaine Carneros and drive to the nearby Artesa Vineyards, where you’ll find another incredible view – look into doing a private tour of the facilities (totally worth it).
Head towards Sonoma Square to wander through the park, look at the cute stores, grab a coffee at Sunflower Caffé, and get your name on the reservation list for either HopMonk Tavern or The Girl and the Fig (both are delicious – and busy!).
After eating lunch, pile back in the car and head towards Gundlach Bundschu (where we had our rehearsal dinner) – they wine is absolutely phenomenal.
Take a short drive to nearby Nicholson Ranch, and gaze out at the rolling wine country in front of you.
Determine your ability to drink more wine (c’mon, you can do it!), and if you’re up for it, end your day’s wine tasting at Viansa (amazing cheeses!).
Return to your hotel to shower, rest and get ready for dinner at Azzurro Pizzeria E Enoteca in downtown Napa and walk around the pretty little city afterwards.