Ailee Petrovic

Personal February 16, 2015

Week in Review

Happy Presidents’ Day, everyone! I hope you are enjoying the day off, but if not, I pray you had a wonderful Valentine’s weekend and are still on a love-high from the weekend and don’t mind sitting at your desk today. I had an amazing week, getting to spend time with old and new friends as I celebrated Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, a friend’s 32nd birthday, and a sweet baby boy due so soon! The weather in Houston has just been amazing, so our evening family walks have lasted a little longer than normal.

The main low point of the week was Isla’s first tooth breaking the surface. Oh gosh. I mean, teething is awful! She was a snotty mess all week and absolutely will not let you wipe her nose (poor day care staff at Life Time Fitness discovered that the hard way). She was snugglier than normal though, which was sweet. I cannot believe this is an ongoing process… so many more teeth to come! I am grateful that I’ve had a gummy bear for as long as I have though, and pray she doesn’t feel like biting down while nursing!

Other highlights from the week include:

Painting a mug and a plate at The Mad Potter with one of my high school friends, Danielle, who has the most incredible story and you should be following her inspiring blog – Project 3×5 (and her Instagram)
Watching Isla take the reigns in peek-a-boo, as she now pulls the cover up and down all by herself – see a little video evidence here and here
Catching up with Alexis and Kevin at Ruggles Green – I cannot believe they’re first date was there months ago when they slept the whole time, and now they’re in high chairs making insane amounts of mess
Getting a beautiful cross from Isla’s Godmother (my best friend), McKenzie – it’s stunning and she is going to love it so much when she gets older!
Enjoying a lovely Galentine’s Day party (post here) with sweet girl friends
Celebrating baby Kerr (due in 5 weeks) at Julie’s (of Baby Grace Houston – part of the Best Baby Items on Etsy giveaway!) gorgeous shower – I’ll be sharing details this week!
Eating a romantic (ha!) Valentine’s Day dinner with Sasha’s two cousins, Natalia and Stevan, and my sister and playing gin rummy (two for two now, which is insanely lucky for me)
Going to McCormick and Schmicks and The Tasting Room to celebrate one of Sasha’s best friend’s birthdays – always so good to spend time with Paige and Matt!
Spending time with all three sets of Isla grandparents – during which she ate a crêpe for the first time, played with her new bee chair, and listened to a new book from my mom – Round is a Tortilla
Having my sister-in-law’s best friend over to help her design her wedding invitations – they’re going to look so pretty and I’m so excited for their fall wedding!
Letting Isla eat all sorts of new foods, like Special K Protein Plus with breastmilk (!!!!) as we were out of oatmeal (which we eat every morning), Brussels sprouts, portobello mushrooms and spicy black bean veggie burgers
Listening to an amazing guest speaker at church (Bayou City Fellowship) – his name is Jeremy Courtney and he is the Founder and Executive Director of Preemptive Love Collation – this organization has the most amazing mission and I was so moved by Jeremy’s message
Enjoying a family meal at Ruggles Green after church (yeahhh, I’m addicted to the Texas Goat Cheese Salad)
Being gifted the Classic Pave Link bracelet from J. Crew – Amanda gave me this for helping her with wedding planning, and I seriously cannot take it off… I love it
Getting to visit with Sasha’s aunt and uncle, who is sick – without sharing details, as this is personal, all prayers are definitely appreciated
Finishing up the trip planning for Paris and St. Petersburg – making reservations, figuring out minute details… and praying we get lucky with good French Open tickets!

Some other secretive behind-the-scenes things took place during the week, which I am praying I can share with you soon. Needless to say, the extra effort involved has left me very little time to do much else.

How was your week? What were your highlights? Did you have a fun Valentine’s Day? Please share in the comments below!

Fashion February 13, 2015

Favorite Looks of the Week

I really missed out by not getting a pink pea coat this winter, and I’m reminded of that this week with Rachel’s gorgeous pale pink jacket. That was definitely my favorite trend of the season. Fortunately, I’m not too concerned with something being ‘so last season’ and may buy one now, even though it’s already feeling like spring in Houston. I love getting jackets and boots around this time of year on sale and having it feel like I’m getting a present when they’re worn for the first time in November. I found a handful of gorgeous pink coats, some a tad more expensive and some reasonably priced on sale. Which is your favorite? Of course, I gravitate towards a pricier option, but this BOSS coat from Harrods is classy and simple and ohmygosh…. seriously adore.

I absolutely love all of the white lace popping up on blogs this week, like Julia Engel’s little white lacy number and the more casual dresses worn by Jessica of Tuula Vintage and Samantha of Could I Have That?

Last week, Jenny of Jenny Journey mentioned the fashion blogger Arielle of Something Navy. I’ve featured her in the past (here, here, here and here) – she has incredible style. Jenny (who is close friends with my beautiful SIL) said that she looks like Ivana and our cousin, Natalia. It’s insane how similar they look. I once took a screenshot of Arielle and sent it to Natalia, and even she thought it was crazy how much they resembled each other! I want a beautiful doppleganger like that! Is there anyone that people say you look like? I’d love to know. I used to get told Brittany Snow when John Tucker Must Die and Pitch Perfect came out, but I honestly don’t see it at all!

Also, which is your favorite look this week? I would never be able to pull them off, but Chiara and her glittery blue shoes may win. She pulls of casual cool so well.

1 Pink Peonies // 2 Gal Meets Glam 3 Tuula Vintage // 4 Could I Have That?

Events February 12, 2015

Galentine’s Day

Last year, I participated in my very first ‘Galentine’s Day’ celebration. The hostess with the mostess, Christie of KiKiMac, had my friend, Danielle, and I over for a ‘crafternoon’ (see her post here and mine here). Last night, three other ladies and I went over to our sweet friend’s house for a night of ‘baking for our boys.’ It was seriously so much fun. I think all Valentine’s celebrations should happen with other females, as we get way more excited about the holiday than men do! But a romantic night with your man obviously cannot be replaced!

I brought over raw veggies and hummus, Chocolove bars, and some La Marca prosecco (our favorite), and the other ladies brought/made fruit, baked brie, red velvet cookies, vegan beet brownies, and sugar cookies which we spent the night decorating (this is not my calling in life, but it was a good laugh).

After cookie decorating, we moved to the craft table and made cards for our boys using all of the adorable supplies that Christina (of Christina Leigh Events) brought. I am seriously in love with her pink paper cutter! Mine is a terrible orange color, and I think I need an upgrade!

We had such a good night, and I am already looking forward to next year’s Galentine’s Day celebration. I’m convinced that all you need is delicious food, wine, baking and crafts… and of course, awesome friends.

Have you ever celebrated Valentine’s Day with your girl friends? If so, what did y’all do? Any recommendations for next year?

Beauty February 10, 2015

Valentine’s Day Style Guide

Valentine’s Day is upon us, as we now have only four days until we celebrate ‘the day of romance.’ I’m not a big cheesy Valentine’s person, as I think that you should express your love to each other on a daily basis and not just on a Hallmark holiday. With this said, why buck the trend? Sasha and I will be celebrating with a romantic dinner at home this year, as we’re going out to eat with another couple on Friday and then have a baby shower during the day.

I do plan on getting dolled up for our meal, as it’s fun to put on something that makes you feel pretty every now and then (they weren’t kidding when they said this would become a novelty as a new mom!). I will likely wear a red dress or black pants and red blazer, as well as my NARS heat wave lipstick (obsessed – linked below). I’ve got a few nude heels that I’ll choose between and am getting a pedicure on Friday. I’m pretty darn excited about it all.

Personal February 9, 2015

Week in Review

As I mentioned on Friday, I went to Austin for the first part of the weekend to celebrate a friend’s bachelorette weekend, then drove back to Houston for another friend’s bridal shower. Both events were so much fun (although quite opposite in level of appropriateness). We went over to Sophee’s parents house after the shower to hang out with the bride and groom’s family, which I loved. Sophee and I lived together in college for two years, so I know her parents and sister very well and love them to death.

While I was busy on Saturday, Sasha took Isla to his friend’s 1 and 2 year old sons’ birthday party at the Houston Zoo. Zach’s sweet mom took some adorable photos which she sent me. I’m sad to have missed this fun celebration, but glad to have cute photos from the event.

Other highlights from the week included:

The drive to Austin with two of my best friends since elementary school – it was a trip, as we laughed the entire way there (the return at 7am was a different story…)
Pushing Isla on the swings at the park on Sunday – she giggles and giggles as she goes back and forth – similar to her bike ‘rides’ (as she push her around)
Giving Isla her first bath in the big tub, which was so fun and she splashed around and loved it. Her frugal father didn’t though and think’s we’re wasting too much water! So silly!
Going to Ciro’s Italian Grill for lunch with Papa (my dad) – it was such a treat, especially since he’s leaving for the UK for two weeks
Getting a blowout at Dry Bar while Isla was babysat by her Baba (Sasha’s mom) – she made us these delicious peppers and strudel too!
Worshipping at Bayou City Fellowship on Sunday – we’ve been gone or busy the last few Sundays so haven’t made it to church, but I’m so glad we did yesterday. Of course, I cried (happy tears) to be there, singing along with friends.
Bringing my best friend, McKenzie, Yogurtland frozen yogurt to celebrate her moving back into our old (but new) apartment complex after being in a very cool looking, but very old, four-plex for almost two years
Eating lunch at Ruggles Green with an old friend, Anna, whom I hadn’t seen in ages and love to pieces – it was so nice to catch up!
Spending time with Sasha’s aunt and uncle who live nearby and seeing his cousin, Natalia, who was in town
Getting a chipped bottom tooth fixed – I have no clue how it happened! They’re worried I’m a night grinder… praying that’s not the case or else I’ve got some cool mouth gear in my future
Taking more photos for Feather Thread (first mentioned here) – I’m excited for Jessica to launch it!

How was your week? What did you get up to?