week in review

Week in Review March 16, 2015

Happy Monday! If you live in Houston or have friends here, you are probably tired of people talking about the sunshine, but seriously – it has been so nice to see the sun poking out from behind the clouds after what feels like an eternity. Sasha and I took advantage of the warmth on Saturday and Sunday and spent as much time outdoors as possible. We went to Memorial Park for Isla and I to run and for Sasha to play tennis with his friend. On Sunday, we spent the afternoon at my parent’s house by the hot tub. Isla rocked an itsy bitsy bikini, which our cousin bought for her before she was born – and I adore it.

One of the low points of the week was filling out the insane application form to travel to Russia, and then getting the passport photos, and then going to the bank for cashiers checks, and then going to one office that pointed us to another office, which had a sign pointing us back to the first office. Slightly confused, but praying we get it all worked out this week, as I am so excited for our trip to St. Petersburg!

Besides the visa confusion, the week went really smoothly. Some of the highlights included:

Being a featured segment on Great Day Houston! It was live and I was pretty nervous, but I loved doing it and would totally jump at an opportunity to go on the show again.
Triple-dating it at Jonathan’s The Rub with Amanda, Scott, Taylor and Luke – it’s an amazing restaurant just a stone’s throw from the house, so we walked (super rare in Houston!)
Celebrating Jessica’s birthday dinner at La Vista – love their Spinach salad so much!
Catching up with our good friends, Patrick and Betsy, over lunch at Dish Society on Sunday – we are terrible and haven’t seen them since our trip to Mexico City in September!
Eating at Island Grill and running into our friends, Lindsey and Casey, and their sweet kids, Walker and Hollis (whose birthday party we celebrated just a few weeks ago!)
Meeting my mom and her friend, Ona Rae, at Le Petit Cafe for lunch – this was a staple spot we’d eat at when I was working on a project at BP before maternity leave
Having Sunday night ‘Family Dinner’ with my parents and two sisters at Russos – always lots of laughter involved with these dinners!
Trying out the core class at Life Time Fitness, and needless to say, my stomach still hurts and my ribs feel broken? Strange but true.
Birthday shopping for Jessica with my friend, Brittany, and then meeting the birthday gal at Memorial Park to walk the three mile loop (with Isla strapped to my chest!)
Having Sasha’s mom over for lunch on Friday – Isla took an unusually long nap, so we got to have some quality chats before eating together
Getting a short but sweet visit from our friends, Matt and Paige, and their daughter, Ellery, who is seriously just the happiest and cutest little girl ever (how was this over a year ago??)
Spending Saturday morning with Sasha’s dad, his wife, Olivera, and her mom, who is here visiting from Serbia
Finding the world’s cutest sandal ever at Old Navy – these glitter Birkenstocks truly melt my heart. I want them for me.
Visiting Sasha’s aunt, Zlata, who is so good with Isla, and of course, Isla adores her because she gives her with candy and biscuits!
Getting the prettiest package in the mail from Claire Martin Designs – she is so talented! You definitely need to email her for an order!

Personal March 10, 2015

Week in Review

This past week has been one of really high highs and really low lows. As I mentioned last week, Sasha’s uncle passed away on Wednesday morning, and the rest of the week felt like it had a big grey cloud hanging over it. The funeral was held yesterday, and it was very emotional for everyone. Tom has left an amazing legacy, and I’m so grateful to have known him for the last 4 1/2 years.

On a much less grave note, another low was the selling of our house falling through. Crazy, I know – it was a big secret, except for close family and friends, that we were even considering moving! We were under contract for our house, but the appraisal came in less than the sale price, and we weren’t able to settle on a final offer. We had been talking to a builder in our neighborhood who is building a spec home we were planning on customizing. We’re both very disappointed with everything, but know that things happen for a reason. We love our house, so are okay with staying put for awhile longer!

The highs for the week included getting to take photos for yesterday’s blog post at Spring Street Studios and being able to spend time with Brittany Lais Williams, my insanely talented friend, who did my hair and makeup, as well as Paige Budde of Awake Photography. I love Paige’s photographs so much, and could look at her blog all day. We stopped by the Papellerie studio after taking pictures, and got to hug Amy and Riley, the duo responsible for my wedding stationery (which you can see here). Isla clung to Riley the whole time (see photo below!). It was so cute.

Other highlights for the week included:

Spending time with my sister-in-law, Ivana, who was in Texas for work and then stayed longer for the funeral – I seriously could not ask for a better SIL, she is wonderful
Seeing my best friend, McKenzie, who has been in London for two weeks for work (we cannot talk about the jealousy here!) – she got me the most amazing birthday gifts – Deliciously Ella and the world’s comfiest snood – and a Pink Peonies Collection ring, which hasn’t arrived just yet (cannot wait to see it!)
Eating lunch at Dish Society with Brittany and our friend, Kasey – I love that place!
Going to eat lunch at Empire Turkish Grill with my mother-in-law and Isla (who loved the hummus!)
Getting a manicure on Saturday and a blow out at Dry Bar on Sunday
Spending a day in Katy with my mom and older sister – Sasha was very against buying an exercauser for Isla, so she gets excited when we go and she gets to play in it
Celebrating Isla’s 9 month-iversary and watching her learn to clap, which she know does anytime anyone mutters the word ‘clap’ (video here) and more tickles and giggles
Picking up the pottery that my friend, Danielle (of Project 3×5), and I painted from Mad Potter – I love our new ‘Isla’ mug and ‘I’ plate (a gift from Dani)!
Having a cousin play date with Ana (Isla’s cousin who is just under a month younger!)
Two shopping trips to Gap – I am loving their clothes lately! For Isla and for me!
Ordering a dress for Isla’s first birthday party (don’t worry, that’s all I’ve done – I just had to have it!)
Getting to ‘do’ bath time as Sasha was in North Dakota for work all week – it’s his responsibility normally, but I love getting to bathe Isla

My brain isn’t fully functioning right now after a long day, so if I’m forgetting something that we did together, my sincere apologies. I promise it was a highlight too 🙂 Lots of iPhone photos this week, as my DSLR didn’t get much action given everything going on.

week2 week4

Personal February 23, 2015

Week in Review

I seriously had the best week ever, so much appreciation to all of my lovely friends who made me feel extra special on my birthday. I was surprised by the most gorgeous flowers delivered from my sweet friend Mara (of Hook, Thread and Tinker) – the only way I would have been more excited about the delivery would have been if she had been at my doorstep instead of thousands of miles away in chilly Chicago! I also got beautiful flowers from my three close friends from high school, and have them spread around the house, bringing happiness to various corners! It’s incredible the joy that florals can bring.

In addition to birthday festivities (more details below), one of my best friends, Kirby, was in town with her husband, Brett, and daughter, Lillian (more about this tiny little angel here!). I am so incredibly grateful for the time we were able to spend together (as they live in Oklahoma City), and Sasha is too, as he loves Brett.

We had dinner at her brother and sister-in-law’s house on Friday, then went to her parent’s house during the day on Saturday and celebrated Mardi Gras together at our mutual friend’s parents house on Saturday night. I wish they lived here so badly, but I’ll take action packed visits as a second best option any day!

Some other exciting things that took place this week include:

Getting treated to birthday lunch by my best friend, McKenzie, and her wonderful boyfriend, Bryan – we ate at True Food Kitchen, and I’m officially obsessed
Eating birthday dinner with Sasha and Isla at Rosie Carrabba’s, which is one of our favorite spots in the city (and his ‘Holy Ship, it’s your birthday!’ card still has be laughing)
Celebrating my birthday with my family at Benjy’s on Washington on Saturday for lunch – their beet hummus and Brussels sprouts are phenomenal
Meeting Sasha during his lunch break at Zoe’s Kitchen on Monday – his office is only 15 minutes away, so getting to see him for a bit during the day is such a treat
Going to lunch with two co-worker friends on Friday at none other than Ruggles Green – so much fun to chat with them, especially since the main topic of conversation was blogging!
Feeding Isla restaurant food – she had a chicken skewer at Zoe’s Kitchen, a grilled chicken breast at Benjy’s and Carrabba’s, and guacamole and quinoa from A Moveable Feast – it makes our meals a smidgen more expensive, but we love watching her feed herself like a tiny human (and these stick-on mats are necessary now!)
Sleeping – although Sasha and I both feel exhausted from the busy week, Isla has slept from 6:30 pm – 7:30am every night this week, and I’m praying it’s not just a fluke… I want to get used to that!
Planning the final wedding details with Amanda, who surprised me with gorgeous tulips, delicious vegan cookies from Whole Foods and an amazing card on my birthday!
Getting a manicure and pedicure at Paradise Nails while Isla’s Baba (Sasha’s mom) babysat – it was such a treat, and I’m definitely going to try to keep it up (typically terrible at this…)
Going to Sephora and being surprised by my birthday gift, which was two NARS lipsticks – my favorite gift they’ve ever given!
Catching up with one of my best friends, Paola, who moved to Honduras after their wedding in Mexico City last fall and I miss her so much it’s insane! I did not want to get off the phone!
Spending way too much money at The Monogram Shop – that place is dangerous (if you live in Houston, you need to go)
Spending the night at my parent’s house after the Mardi Gras party and waking up with the entire family there – my two sisters had spent the night too!
Buying and setting up new furniture for our bedroom as gifts from my parents – they also got me the Audrey Lamp, which has been on my birthday and Christmas lists for years!
Heading to Memorial Park during a patch of sunshine on Sunday and doing the 3-mile loop together (and Isla’s straw hat does me in every time!)

You can also follow along during the week by following on Instagram! How was your week? What were the highlights?

Personal February 2, 2015

Week in Review

I truly love a good yearly planner, and I’ve used one forever and ever and ever; however, after Isla was born, mine got left behind in my laptop bag that hasn’t been opened since June. My organization was shocking, which is totally understandable for the first weeks or months. 7 months in? Maybe not so much.

I was really excited to get my Sugar Paper planner for Christmas, but even more excited when I found out last week that I had won a Simplified Planner from Christina Leigh’s 12 Days of Christmas giveaway. It seemed perfect timing, as Emily Ley (owner/creator of the Simplified Planner) gave birth to her adorable baby twins last week, and I couldn’t stop crying when she posted this photo on Instagram. What is wrong with me? I now want twins really, really, really badly.

So, besides twin babies (whom I do not know) being born, other highlights of the week included:

Two lunch dates to Ruggles Green with the most adorable babies – Hollis (11 months old and a walking machine) and Alexander (please see photo below to understand my utter obsession) – I love catching up with their sweet moms too, especially while eating a Texas Goat Cheese Salad
Finishing the editing on my video for Milk Nursingwear – it’s being reviewed, but I’ll be able to show it soon!
Participating in the 30 day challenge with 89.3 KSBJ, which is a local Christian radio station – I seriously cannot be in a bad mood while listening to this station (and when Broken Vessels is on… my heart is extra happy). I’ve also started the She Reads Truth Bible study and am obsessed. Can we talk about the content, as well as the beautiful graphics?
Traveling to Galveston for our niece’s Christening, which was beautiful – Ana is a champion and slept through 90% of it, then cried for only a second (during the dunking, which is understandable!)
Laughing and laughing when I looked over at Isla one morning as I got ready to see that she had climbed on the scale and was standing up, examining herself in the mirror (handy though, she weigh 19 pounds now… avocado and sweet potatoes are chunking her up!)
Receiving a beautiful package for Isla from Janie and Jack and getting some cute little jeans and a top from Nordstrom for her as well (does anyone ever do returns without buying something??) – also, let’s talk about how I only buy clothes for Isla now – this is the definition of being a mom!
Enjoying time with my older sister and both of Isla’s grandmas who came to visit this week and play with Isla

I felt awfully sick on Saturday (I kept Googling symptoms of an Appendicitis, but turns out I have a cold, ha!). A very laid back day helped me get back on my feet quickly. How was your week? What were your highlights?

PS The winner of the Isla necklace giveaway was Joanna Murnan! Congratulations!!

Week in Review January 26, 2015

Week in Review

This past weekend, we hosted a wedding shower at our house for two of our close friends, Scott and Amanda. We tested the capacity of ‘The Manor,’ and had 67 people eating, drinking, laughing and taking polaroids (or Instax Minis, to be precise). Sasha and I had such a good time, and seriously cannot wait for their wedding in New Orleans in just a few months. I’ll share a handful of photos later this week – although it’s hard to play photographer when you’re busy being a host! I’m glad I got some photos taken before the party started. I did share one of my favorite pictures below – Amanda’s two adorable nieces came, and they love the photos. You’ll see the ‘World’s Best Selfies’ below!

The shower was by far the biggest highlight of the week, and getting ready for it took up most of the week. There were a few other fun moments, including:

Meeting two sweet friends for lunch at Adair Kitchen and getting one of my favorite meals in the city – their black bean quinoa burger (it’s heavenly)
Getting our new ficus lyrata set up – we ordered it from Houston Interior Plants and love it
Ordering a British passport for Isla
More mushed berry finger painting with Isla, as her aunts commissioned pieces of their own
Hanging up lights in our backyard (well, Sasha did) – we ordered these ones from Amazon and love them!
Taking Isla to the park with her cousins and swinging for the first time!
Receiving packages from one of my best friends, Sophee, and from Kendra Scott – details on what was inside will be shared tomorrow!
Catching up with one of my closest high school friends, Joy (who owns the amazing jewelry company, Priya) over lunch at Zoe’s Kitchen
Receiving my two new wedding bands, as the tiny pave ones I had kept losing diamonds!
Discovering that Isla is obsessed with Plum Organics squeezable purees – we are doing baby led weaning, but want to make sure Isla practices eating from a spoon too! She is obsessed with the Greek yogurt, spinach and raspberry flavor
A playdate with McKenzie and Sasha’s mom on Friday – we had Isla time, then enjoyed lunch together at the house
Getting pampered on Saturday morning with a mimosa and blowout (something I need every day!)
Buying at least 7 outfit options for the shower, then wearing something I already owned (how often does this have to happen for me to learn?)

A definite low point was spending hours on the phone with Apple to fix my iPhoto – where I store all photos. Yikes. I was extremely cranky last night while this was happening!

What were your highlights this week?