Sunday Short & Sweet 50

Now I'm not a big Chanel fan but I absolutely LOVE the runway design! What do you think?

It's Beginning...

to look a lot like Christmas! For the few of you that still read my blog... I have missed you!  My days have been so consumed by my new little man that somehow three months flew by and all I did was blink.  Life is definitely becoming more of a routine than a crazy unknowing day to day fiasco.  That being said, I would really like to try to incorporate my blogging back into my life since I enjoyed it so much pre mommyhood. I find it's important once you get a handle on your new life, that you factor in your own likes as well as the babies. Doing things like this helps me to appreciate my time, that sometimes is watched too closely during monotonous mommy moments of fussiness or all day feeding frenzies and it really makes it all feel worthwhile.  For me this is through doing this, sharing creativity, taking photographs and retelling stories.
It's hard to believe Hughes is 3 months old.  What he reaches for and grows as on a daily basis truly amazes me.  As we all have heard from time to time and is so easily used once becoming a momma is .. "it seems like only yesterday.." that I gave birth to him.  Now he is no longer a helpless newborn, he is minutes from holding up his own head.  He coo's, goo's and smiles at all people and objects around him, he couldn't be more sweet.
All this newness has made me so giddy about the holiday festivities!  This past weekend, the hubby, H and I got our Christmas tree.  The first night home we put the lights on and let H stare at it with wide eyes.  The rest of the decorating was spent over the week with holiday music, fires, hot chocolate and my favorite Christmas movies.  This is just one of the traditions that I look forward to doing with my little family year after year from this Christmas forward.  Another tradition I started this year is an advent calendar that H doesn't quite appreciate yet but next year will be so much fun!  With the help of my mom and sister, I have collected 24 different books on Christmas.  Books ranging from the classics of Santa, Frosty and Rudolph to stories on snow, the spirit of giving and family. Once collected, then you wrap them and add your own gift tags numbered 1-24.  The best part, the final outcome is a lovely night time tradition with you and your babe.  I blogged about this idea a couple years ago and am so excited to finally be able to do it.  You can read the old post here and see what the final product will resemble.  The hubby thought it was a bit silly for me to wrap them just to then unwrap them myself this year.. he can be such a bah humbug. haha.
Goodnight and sleep well, cheers to 10 more days until Christmas and a hopeful return. xo

our tree.

Tidbits on Tuesday

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Tidbits on Tuesday

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Photo Friday

Even though I knew being a new Momma would be incredibly rewarding, it has surprised me at just how amazing it is even with the lack of sleep and cranky days.  I just love watching my little guy grow and react to his day to day discoveries as he opens his eyes more and realizes the world around him.  Yesterday we had a great moment that called for a photo session of his precious little face.  I just can't get enough of him and his sweet ways.  I stare at him constantly and watch his many expressions that remind me so much of his daddy and laugh at his seemingly short temperament that reminds me of myself all too well.  The simple amusement of how much he just coo's and grunts with the realization of his voice and the pleasure in using it just tickles me.  My sweet little man is 6 weeks old today, it doesn't seem possible and how frightening it is that one day soon I will blink my eyes and he will be a teenager.  In the meantime, I am just soaking up every second and absorbing his milestones inside my heart and memory.

Inspiration Board #42 - FALLing In Love

You just can't help falling in love in Fall, so beautiful and romantic as the leaves change color, the weather starts to cool and everything beautifully goes peacefully to rest and relax through the winter.  No new growth, just time to reflect and appreciate what there is around you.  

For this big day, I envision a drying up field with the barn as the ceremony and reception place.  Lots of ivory, browns and straw golds accented with a tinge of burgundy and red. Plenty of candles, lanterns, wooden pieces and homemade goods strewn about as delightful details on a fabulous fall day.

Mood:  FALLing in Love
Hue:  Ivory, Brown and Straw Gold

images: family style table by style me pretty, a lovely ceremony sign found at go jump in the lake rustic signs, a great dried wood centerpiece with votives and handmade table number tags from ashley gillett from charlotte wedding photographers, pretty floral arrangements in wooden boxes down the middle of the family style table accented with gords found on botanical brouhaha blog, apple pie sticks found on belle the magazine displayed oh so sweetly for all the guests to enjoy, tricycle image found on spoon full of style, fabulous wedding boots image found micanonymous blog, the ideal site for a barn wedding found on wedding bee and last but not least the image of the stylish couple in their vintage attire carrying barnyard lanterns is just perfect for this setting, found on project wedding.

A Pumpkin Patching We Will Go

We've checked one activity off our bucket list... the pumpkin patch!  What a fun day we had starting up our family tradition, just like I did as a kid.  I was lucky enough to have my mom, sister and nephew in town too, so it was quite the gathering.  Wagons, Corn Mazes and pumpkins OH MY!

Tidbits on Tuesday

Make It Yourself Monday - A Wonderful Wrapping

The honey and I are officially booked through many of our weekends.  Having had a child was our cue to our friends that are parents, that we are now ready to be invited for play dates, birthday parties, dinner and lots of kid talk.  Don't get me wrong, I secretly love my new life but also find it hysterical how fast it all happens.  My little man is only a month old and barely stays awake for any of these festivities but none the less, we are now included in what once was the secret society of the  "parent club". 

So anywho, with that said, gifts are being bought for these lovely hosts and I am always a sucker for having my wrapping stand out and scream fun! Here is a great idea I came across this weekend at one charming party while blog hopping around my favorite sites. I can' t wait to re-create it and share my version with you all... stay tuned!

Weekend Web Love

What a wonderfully relaxing Sunday with my honey, little man and mom.  We played on the internet, watched some boob tube, sewed, made some dinner and took turns loving up on my sweet little man, all day long.  These types of days are far and few between but oh so sweet and special.  This late post is after all has settled and I am prepared to share where my brain has been lately... on my favorite season, fall! How excited I am to share all these things I love with my little guy, whether he'll remember or not, it's the start of a tradition.  While perusing some of my favorites, I came across this bucket list.. which describes what's been on my mind perfectly!  

And a few other of my own personal favorites not listed. xo
_ make butternut squash risotto.
_wear fun scarves like these!
_make and drink this salted hot chocolate with my loved ones.
_lots of photos like these of my little one in his halloween costume!
_maybe this train pumpkin patch hayride is in store too?!
_last but not least a trip out of SoCal to find foliage like this!

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Goodnight Moon or Ipad

As a child and currently as an adult, I have always loved the book Goodnight Moon and couldn't wait to read it aloud to my little one while rocking him to sleep. Today I got an email with this quirky little modern day rendition called  Goodnight iPad ... what do you think?

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Hughes Is Here

After what seemed like a rapidly long 9 months, my little man is here!  I know 'rapidly long' doesn't seem to make much sense but to those of you that have been pregnant, I bet you know exactly what I mean!  Hughes Vann arrived 09/09/11 at 12:02pm weighing 7lbs. 11ozs. and 20" long.  The honey and I are more in love than we could have ever imagined and until I eventually write up his birth story, all I'm going to say is what an EXTREMELY INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE!! So far, things have been going well, we're adjusting to this parenthood stuff but it's nothing we weren't ready for.  I just love staring at him and watching how he changes daily.  The love between all three of us is infinitely strong, stronger than I had imagined and am so grateful for it.  Thank you for your patience with my absence, I will be reappearing more than disappearing in next few months.  In the meantime, here is a quick introduction to our new little love. xo

Bright Orange Baby

Over the last nine months, I seem to have collected quite a few photos of nurseries.  I thought it might be fun to share some of the more unique ones I have archived over the last few months.  Those of you who know me, you are aware that orange is one of my favorite colors.  Using this color was one of my many original thoughts for my little one, although I eventually swayed away from the idea... here are some grand orange nursery finds.

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