LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Dress Your Tech // How fabulous are these hot pink polka dots created by Georgiana Paraschiv for Designlovefest?
• Cuckoo for Juju // Ever since my parents got me a Juju for my birthday, I'm more obsessed than ever. It just makes me so happy to stare at the fluffy feathered headdress. If I made all the rules, I'd say that every room should have one.
• Castle and Things // From time to time it's fun to peruse Rachel Castle's latest work to see what the color lovin' creative has been up to. I can't help but fall hard for the felt cutouts. I love 20 Spot Ambre and A Big Letter like X O.
• Martie Pant // I'm guessing Martie is related to J.Crew's Minnie. While the name makes me think of Back to the Future, I'm a fan of the higher waist and cropped length. Minnie and I were never besties (German peasant stock, i.e. big calves),  but I'd be willing to mingle with Martie. Can you tell from last week's post I can't stop thinking about that blue hue?
• Heart One-Piece // This is just so precious. I wish Max could pull it off, but it doesn't appear to be gender neutral. Ha Ha! Paired with his striped leggings, it might be too much for the confused cowboys around here to handle.
• Gem Tassel Necklace // Wednesday was a rough one, my friends. I may have had a "Treat Yo Self" moment and pulled the trigger on this piece. Hey, my mom persuaded me to do it and we all know that mother knows best...
• Live Colorfully Perfume // I ran out of my go-to perfume and I think this might be a nice replacement for Spring. Do you have any favorites I should consider? I've also heard nothing but great things about Jo Malone perfume. Oh, decisions.
• Bond d' Orsay Pumps // I'm a ballet flat girl through and through, but there's something about this sleek silhouette and punchy color that make these seriously swoon worthy. And of course they come with a price tag to match its height.
• Neon Yellow and Arrows Bracelet // Drooling over Coralie Reiter's gorgeous handmade jewelry. Check out her shop here!
• Love Birds Slim Bee // A Love List with Valentine's Day around the corner calls for something that just screams amour.

Cheers to a snazzy weekend, m' dears! Make it count.

P.S. I'll be back with a post next Wednesday. I'm going to take a few days off to spend some time with the fam.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

FEELING: The sunny weather has been perfect for afternoon walks with Max; however, I can't help but feel guilty the instant I lace up my sneakers. As pathetic as it sounds, walks are one of the few times I don tennies, and Beesly is fully aware of this. In fact, she sees it as her cue to prance around the house with excitement as though she gets to join in on the fun. Ugh! No amount of dog treats can compensate for the letdown she experiences when she realizes that she and Tripp will be left behind. Thankfully, Queen Bee is supposed to go to San Antonio in the coming weeks for her follow-up appointment and we should get the green light to resume our walks. The Best Friends Committee will be back in session, and I know one Berner who's going to be thrilled!

THANKFUL FOR: I underestimated my love for Benefit's Eye Bright Pencil until the tip of mine broke off this week. Womp womp! I've had this magical makeup stick for a year or so, and it had been sharpened so many times I'm not entirely sure it had many uses left. I suppose a little proper planning might have prevented me to have to go without, but it kind of slipped my mind. After the last chunk fell off, I convinced myself that I could go without. Was it really that great, or was I using it because I had it in my makeup bag? After two days without the pencil, I hopped on Sephora and ordered another. When used in conjunction with my trusty concealer, it's the one thing that doesn't make me look so exhausted. I have to give props to my sister because she originally turned me on to the product. Her lifestyle is way different from mine these days, but I can assure you it's a necessity for night owls and new moms. 

THINKING ABOUT: Last year on Valentine's Day, I took a pregnancy test and life changed forever. I'll never forget that day, even though part of me would like to. You see, I spent the next nine months so anxious and afraid of the unknown, rarely allowing myself to truly embrace the adventure ahead. Honestly, it's one trait I despise about my personality. I can't help but wish I was wired to be a little more carefree and a little less intense. Knowing what I do now, I'm still not sure what I would tell that worrisome girl of my past because I know she would never fully believe that life with Max could be this good, or that she could love someone SO much. With that being said, I would definitely leave out the whole colic detail. Nothing can prepare you for a roller coaster like that. Ha Ha!

EATING: Salmon and roasted veggies, all day erryday. Are you tired of my bland and boring responses yet? Don't worry. Next week's grocery list is already looking a lot more fun since Flyboy's coming home. I'm pretty pumped to have a reason to cook again. Yahoo!

LISTENING TO: I really hoped snarky comments from strangers would end after my pregnancy, but it appears I continue to attract asshats. I know what you're thinking, hashtag blessed. In the last week alone I've had random people ask me the following questions: 

"Well if your baby has colic, have you tried anything to fix it?" — Ha! Where do I start?

"Is your son fat because you feed him formula?" — Excuse me?

Lucky for these individuals, my parents raised me to be kind and cordial, but that doesn't mean part of me doesn't wish I could respond with a smart-mouth retort. In my mind I was all Stephanie Tanner, "How rude!", but in real life I was all forced smiles and patient replies. Seriously though, who in their right mind thinks someone would enjoy listening to a screaming baby cry for hours on end? And we're talking about a baby here, not a contestant on The Biggest Loser. My goodness! It's probably a good thing I'm not quick on my feet, or ol' sassy pants might come out to play and that could get me in some serious T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Note: I've been known to give local ranchers a free pass when they point to Max's striped leggings and ask if he's a girl (true story, it's happened twice). I can see how this might be cause for confusion when your wardrobe staples are camouflage and cowboy boots. I suppose classic patterns aren't really their thing.

WATCHING:  Thanks to one Maxwell Christopher Fine, thirty-minute sitcoms are m' jam these days. Hour-long shows can sometimes take days to finish (not kidding), so I need something that's short, sweet, and preferably funny. I started watching Marry Me when it premiered last fall and the quirky banter continues to crack me up. I was a Happy Endings superfan, so I was ecstatic to see Casey Wilson back on the telly. She'll always be Penny to me, and I secretly wish that Rom-Com Con was a thing and we could go together!

READING: After my parents came to visit in October, my dad has proceeded to tell everyone that Max is the lil' burglar that stole his heart. Precious, I know! On Monday afternoon, I checked the mail and found a Valentine addressed to the bebe from my father, Max's Gampy. I guess my mom picked up a card from Rifle Paper Co. with a heart bandit illustrated on the front. You guys, it doesn't get any cuter than this, and I can't stop reading my dad's words because they're so stinkin' adorable. Here's an excerpt:

"All units, be on the lookout (BOLO) for cute baby boy,

short and stocky, muscular build, Caucasian, age — 4 months, no tattoos.

Suspect last seen wearing a Mock (Yeah) Ing (Yeah) t-shirt 

with striped pants and no shoes in the vicinity of Del Rio, Texas.

Yes, you, our little man, are guilty as charged. You stole our hearts from the moment we met you."

LOVING: Of course I'm stoked to spend some quality time with Flyboy, but his homecoming also means I get to do odds and ends like wash The Rig (it's dirrrrrrty) and whip out the leaf blower. Sweet freeeeeeeeedom! I guess I didn't realize what little things I'd miss doing while he was away. Clearly I lead a ridiculously exciting life when I get tickled by tending to miscellaneous chores sans baby.

Enough about me. How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!!

HUMP DAY HAPPY HOUR

While scouting cocktail recipes for February, I really wanted to whip up something that had a punchy pop of pink or red. Because Valentine's Day, obvi. I initially pinned the recipe with the intent to make it over the summer, but then I remembered we live in Texas and experienced 80-degree weather this past weekend. Why wait to tickle the ol' tastebuds with something colorful and refreshing?

STRAWBERRY AND LIME TOM COLLINS

Recipe from Cookin' Canuck

(Serves 2)

INGREDIENTS:

10 oz Strawberries

1 Tbsp Agave Nectar

Ice Cubes

3 oz Gin

1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice

Club Soda

Lime Wedges

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place strawberries and agave nectar in blender. Puree until smooth.
2. Using two Collins glasses, place a few ice cubes in each glass.
3. Divide gin, strawberry puree and lime juice between two glasses. Stir mixture with spoon.
4. Fill glasses to the brim with club soda. Stir again and garnish with lime wedges.

LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

"THE DETAILS ARE NOT THE DETAILS. THEY MAKE THE DESIGN." — CHARLES EAMES

This past Saturday I sat in the living room and thought, "You know, the last five weeks have really flown by." Then, in a moment of clarity, reality set in and I realized the ridiculousness of that statement. Ha! In all honesty, we had some pretty rough days and there were moments when I couldn't help but wonder how I was going to make it. Thankfully, with just a few days left before Flyboy's return, it's a lot easier to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And truthfully, that little snippet of optimism feels really nice right about now. Relief is on the way. That has such a nice ring to it, wouldn't you agree?! While my ego would like to tell myself that I could have gone longer, and the stubborn side of me knows it's possible, I find delight in knowing we don't have to for awhile. Having Max to myself has been oodles of fun and boosted my mama confidence, but it will be SO nice to reunite and relish sweet little moments as a family once more. And to be completely honest, my roots are looking atrocious. It's time to get this mousy grey mess fixed and stat. As soon as his papa arrives, I'll be handing the bebe over for some much-needed maintenance. Bye, Ashy!

MONDAY MOODBOARD

Because we could all use a little pizzazz to kick off the week ahead...

Marbella Sandals in Bright Citron via J.Crew

Charlotte Street Canister via Kate Spade

Blowin' in the Wind by Esther Stewart

Love Light Sign via Artifakts

Canoe Paddle via Fidelis Co.

Nude Scene Blush in Reckless via NARS

Diana Vreeland via Donald Drawbertson

Sleeveless Beaded Top via J.Crew

STRANDMON Wing Chair in Skiftebo Orange via IKEA

Mason Quilted Yellow Pillow via CB2

Have a swell week, m' dears!