5 Things // Wedding Edition

My brother is getting married THIS Saturday and it's got me reminiscing about our wedding which was a little over five years ago {you can see details here}.  I still love so much about our wedding...the dress, the location, the guy!  ;)  And of course, I got married BP {before Pinterest} which I consider both a blessing and a curse.  If I were to get married now, there are definitely some things I would change.  Allow me to dream just a little...

1. Invitations

I would splurge for letterpress...so classic!

2. Bridesmaid dresses

I still love that we had navy dresses but I think I would go long and chiffon.  PS...fun fact: this is a friend of a friend's wedding...so pretty!

3. Portrait

We do not have ONE picture of the two of us looking at the camera and smiling!  So crazy, but true.  And of course, what photo does our entire family want?  The portrait that we do not have.

4. DIY Details

Like I said, our wedding was BP, so DIY was a foreign term.  But I think if we did it again, we would have some more DIY touches.

5. More flowers!

Ok this may be overkill, but can you ever have too many flowers?  I think not!

For sources and to see more ideas, visit my Pinterest wedding board.

What would you change about your wedding?

xo natasha

Road Trip with a Toddler // Tips Needed!

My brother's wedding is this weekend and we are driving down to southern CA for the big event.  Yes...driving!  Ahhh!  This is definitely new territory for us and I really have no idea how we will keep Ethan busy for 6+ hours.  Here are some of the things that we plan to bring along:

GOGO Pillow // Backseat Organizer // Magnets {my DIY idea here}

Umbrella Stroller // Tractor Book // Tractors

But what I really need, is your ideas!  So please share any tips or tricks you have up your sleeves.

Thanks in advance!

xo natasha

23 Weeks

How far along? 23 Weeks {first 23 week update}

Baby Size: A pomegranate

Total weight gain: 12 pounds

Maternity clothes? This is another another maternity dress from Gap.  Tip: if you order it, it's much shorter than what it shows on the model.

Stretch marks? Nada.

Sleep: I'm having the craziest dreams lately...

Best moment this week: Going to our first wedding and seeing all of our friends from college!

Miss Anything? Really can't complain at the moment!

Movement: Starting to see him kick from the outside!

Food cravings: Anything and everything that we ate in Sonoma.  We had great meals at Fig Cafe, Sunflower Caffe and Spinster Sisters...yum!

Gender: BOY!

Looking forward to: My brother's wedding this weekend and seeing all of our family.

Differences this time around: Nothing noticeable this week!

xo natasha

Our Weekend // Sonoma Wedding

This past weekend, we had our friend's wedding in beautiful wine country.

It was great reuniting with all of the our college friends {the groom was a fraternity brother of Ryan's} and of course all of the Beta wives/fiances/girlfriends.

Every detail was accounted for...loved the letterpress touch!

We got some rare couple time in!  ;)

Beltane Ranch...the beautiful venue!

Love this girl!

Gang's all here!

Ryan's best man and his beautiful wife!

The kiss!

The table setting.

And the sun setting on a perfect evening!

We always have a great time when we all get together, and lucky us, we get to celebrate again together next month as another fraternity brother gets married...yay!  To top off the weekend, I got to see one of my best friends on Sunday for brunch.  #perfectweekend

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

xo natasha

Wedding Weekend // Attire

Dress // Necklace // Heels // Lip Gloss // Purse // Perfume // Nail Polish

This weekend marks our first of four fall weddings!  I love any opportunity to get dressed up and a wedding is an especially fun occasion.  If I wasn't currently pregnant, I would definitely snatch this dress up...the colors and pattern are super fun and perfect for the fall.  Of course, I'd have to pair it with some bright colored heels and a statement necklace too!  ;)

Do you have any upcoming weddings?

Have a great weekend!

xo natasha

22 Weeks

How far along? 22 Weeks {first 22 week update}

Baby Size: A papaya-he's a one pounder now!

Total weight gain/loss: 10 pounds

Maternity clothes? Loving this Old Navy maternity dress...so comfy!

Stretch marks? Still looking clear.

Sleep: I got a new pillow and I feel like it's made a huge difference for my back!

Best moment this week: Watching Ethan kiss my belly and show me his belly {by lifting his shirt}.  *heart melting*

Miss Anything? Just eating and drinking whatever I want...typical!

Movement: More and more kicks and jabs.

Food cravings: Nothing too out of the ordinary this week.

Gender: BOY!

Looking forward to: Our first fall wedding this weekend !

Differences this time around: My belly button looks like it's about to pop which seems super early compared to last time!

xo natasha

DIY Busy Box for Toddlers

Hey there!

Remember last week how I shared this awesome DIY busy box activity?  Well, I've got a real doozy for you today...my version of a busy box.  It's super complex easy...no really, check it out:

Amazing right?  And how sweet is H-Dawg for modeling this for me?

I think it's especially nice for long car trips as your kiddos can stick the magnets to the inside of the lunch box and then it makes for pretty easy clean up too.  You can also use a cookie sheet for displaying the letters OR use a muffin tin and sort by shape or color.  Really, the possibilities are endless!

Now, I know you all are way more talented and have better DIY ideas to bring to the table, so share away in the link-up below!  Can't wait to see what you have up your sleeves!

Our Weekend

This weekend pretty low key...

I kicked it off with a soft serve...the baby demanded it!

Meanwhile, I love the days I get to pick up Ethan from school...he insists on carrying his backpack and lunch pail to the car.

Sunday, we went to a friend's house to watch the 49er game.  I attempted my first fishtail braid {tutorial found here}.

I brought some Fre champagne to celebrate my friend finding out what she's having...we're both pregnant again at the same time.

Our two boys are only a few days apart...bests for life!  ;)

And she made the most amazing fresh enchiladas {they're made individually}...I seriously need to repeat this.  She soaked the red onion in lime juice and salt...so delish!

We also managed to make a trip to Target and Trader Joe's...exciting stuff!  ;)

How was your weekend?

xo natasha

Ethan's Big Boy Room // Inspiration Board

Bed // Tea Towel Art // Pillow-similar // Dragon // Side Table // Side Lamp

Dresser // Lamp // Lion Art // Deer Head-Urban Outfitters // E Letter // Curtains

Blanket // Sheets // Teepee // Twinkle Lights

I'm starting to put together some ideas on how I would like Ethan's room to come together.  I'm really drawn to graphic prints with a touch of whimsical fun...while of course, being masculine.  The centerpiece of his room will be the bed...and choosing a bed for a boy is hard.  I'm most drawn to the above bed and the Jenny Lind bed.  We plan to stop by Land of Nod later this month to check them out in person and hopefully bring "the one" home.  

I feel like once we have the bed, that will force us to clean out the guest bedroom and finally start to put his room together.  Don't even get me started on transitioning him from a crib to a twin bed.  I can't even imagine what fun we have in store there!

I plan to move his existing curtains to the new room, as well as some of the art.  You'll notice the fun tea towel artwork above.  The Hell Yeah is super fun, but sold out.  You can see how it was styled in this little boy's room here.  And I actually think the Ba Ba Bonkers version is more appropriate for his room anyway...need to get it before it's gone!

Last, I want a place for him to play and display his books.  I definitely want to include some built-in book ledges and his teepee so he can lounge around and read.  I'm not sure if I'll include a rug in his room...there may be enough already going on.

So...what do you think?

I hope you have a great weekend!

xo natasha

OH and the winner was chosen for the digital print.  Was it you?

21 Weeks

Sorry for the poor quality...it was super dark out Monday morning.

How far along? 21 Weeks {first 21 week update}

Baby Size: A banana {or carrot!}

Total weight gain/loss: Looks like 8-10 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yes actually! I just bought these black skinny jeans and LOVE them! So comfy and the deconstructed detail is a fun element. I have a feeling I will be living in them all winter...pre and post baby. It's acceptable to wear maternity jeans when you're not pregnant, right?? Also love this lace top from Zara.

Stretch marks? Not that I'm aware of!

Sleep: Sleeping well.

Best moment this week: Traveling down to San Diego to see my bestie and her baby!

Miss Anything? Not feeling like a huge blob!

Movement: More and more kicks and jabs.

Food cravings: Nothing in particular.  I actually got a BAD food poisoning case when I was down visiting my friend.  It was awful.  :(

Gender: BOY!

Looking forward to: Soaking up the last weekend in Tahoe for a while...likely the last sunny weekend too!

Differences this time around: I just feel so much bigger this time around.  My tummy feels heavy and it takes so much effort to do things.  I can't believe I have 20 more weeks to go...ugh!

xo natasha

Ethan's Matching Cards // A Toddler Activity

Several weeks ago, a group of mama bloggers decided that with all of our kiddos going back to school {or daycare} and many of us welcoming another baby into the mix, that now would be a good time for a fun exchange.  The concept?  Busy boxes that have a great learning element...but perhaps more importantly, serve as an even better distraction!  Can we say, win-win?

The sweeter than sweet Sara and Mac {and don't forget baby Mim} sent us the most adorable matching cards from Ethan's favorite book, Brown Bear Brown Bear. 

These are great!  First, Ethan LOVES making noises for all of the animals.

Second, because each animal is a different color, it helps us with our colors.

And of course, it's great to coordinate the animal heads and "tails".

I foresee lots of busy afternoons spent matching up his favorite animals.

And what's even cuter...Sara also included a second matching game, but this time, with pictures of Ethan!  I mean how cute is this??  Ethan was having a ball marveling over all of his photos and I can already "picture" lots of fun ahead!

  Sara will be putting a tutorial together next week...but you can see that it doesn't take too much to come up with a fun toddler activity that spurs creativity.  

You can check out the rest of our busy box concepts at the following blogs:

Erinn at Strawberry Swing and Other Things

Colleen at Meet the Sullivans

Emily at Dear Owen

Julia at My Life in Transition

Natalie at Nat Your Average Gal

Julie at The Girl in the Red Shoes

Michelle at Ten June {see the busy box I "made" here!}

Vanessa at Sunflower State of Mind

Sara at Running from the Law

And now you can join in on the fun!  We're inviting all of you to come up with your ideas and share them back here next Tuesday.  It can be a past or present project...can't wait to see what you come up with!

xo natasha

And don't forget, you can win some adorable invitations or prints here!

Our Weekend // San Deigo

I had the best time in San Diego this past weekend!  I got to sneak down south on Wednesday night and spend quality time with one of my very best friends.  We've known each other since college and now it's so fun to be mamas together!

We got pedicures together and did a lot of damage shopping {I can't help myself!}.

We had mini play dates...and Kelly's sister had her son two weeks early, which we got to be there for.  So neat!

Kelly with her hubby and sweet son, Nixon.

It was such a fun weekend and I'm so glad I was able to spend that time with her with very few distractions!

Traveling solo also meant that I got to catch up on my magazines on the flight home!  ;)

But of course I missed this little guy more than words can say...he obviously did just fine flying solo with dad!

I hope you all had great weekends!!

xo natasha

PS...don't forget to enter this adorable giveaway!

Baby is the Size of a Banana + A Giveaway!

As you all know, I love my weekly update pregnancy photos, but I've never been very creative with them {you can check them out here}.  I wish I had known about Jillian's cute shop Bella Carta Boutique months ago...because I am pretty sure these watercolor weekly prints are the cutest things ever!

There are 37 illustrations for weeks 4-40 and each one is uniquely beautiful and whimsical.  

Jillian also has gorgeous birth announcements and party invitations in her shop:

And the best part is that Jillian is graciously giving away a digital file of choice to one lucky reader!  Be sure to enter in the widget below...winner will be announced next Friday!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo natasha

Four Berry Pie

I've never made pie before but felt up to the challenge this past weekend as a way to close out the last "official" weekend of the summer. There's some that is just so nostalgic about an all-American pie, don't you think? Serve it up with some vanilla ice cream, and it can instantly transport you back to those lazy summer days, where nothing in the world is wrong. Ahhhh! I will miss summer!

I really loved how tart the berries were in this pie...and the pie crust was easy to make, so don't let that intimidate you! It turned out flaky and sweet, which was a great juxtaposition to the berries. 

Recipe adapted via FoodieCrush

Ingredients //

For the crust

2 cups all-purpose flour
12 tablespoons unsalted cold butter, cut into 1/2 inch chunks
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 to 3/4 cup ice cold water

For the filling
6 cups fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries, rinsed and stems removed

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Juice and zest of 1/2 lemon
Pinch of kosher salt
1 egg
1 tablespoon cream {I forgot to do this part and it turned out just fine}

Method //

For the crust
Add flour, butter, salt, and sugar to the bowl of a food processor and pulse 4-5 times until butter is the sized of small peas. Do not over mix, add 1/4 cup iced water and pulse on and off until pastry is just combined.  Add more water 1 tablespoon at a time until dough comes together when pressed. {Be sure to check it--it may not look like the dough is wet, but once you press on it, you'll see it's plenty moist}.  Put out mixture on a floured surface. Knead a few times and form a ball, divide into two discs and wrap in plastic wrap for 1 hour or until ready to use.

For the pie
Mix the berries, flour, sugar, lemon juice, zest, cream and salt in a medium bowl.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. Place one crust in a deep dish pie pan with excess pastry hanging over the sides of the pan. Using a ¾”-diameter pastry tip or a wide straw, punch out holes in the remaining crust, covering an area just smaller than the diameter of pie dish.
Pour the berries into the prepared pie crust.Top with the second, punched out pie crust. Fold edges of top crust under edge of bottom crust and crimp edges. Brush top of pie crust with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
Refrigerate the pie for 30 minutes.
Place pie on a baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes at 400 degrees. Allow pie to rest for about 30 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

xo natasha

20 Weeks

How far along? 20 Weeks {first 20 week update}

Baby Size: A banana

Total weight gain/loss: 8+ pounds...I think?  I really have no idea.

Maternity clothes? Not yet...but I just ordered this and this over the weekend, thanks to a Labor Day sale.  And I'm wearing this dress in the picture above.  Not gonna lie, I am excited to move into cooler temps and dress the bump up this fall.

Stretch marks? Still clear.  Rubbing on my Mustela cream.

Sleep: Still sleeping really well...no complaints.

Best moment this week: Officially finding out the sex!

Miss Anything? Not feeling super bloated all the time.  Ready for the cooler temps!

Movement: Ryan felt some kicks the other day...that feeling never gets old!

Food cravings: I craved pie...so I made my first one!

Gender prediction: BOY!

Looking forward to: Seeing my best friend and her sweet baby boy, Nixon this week!

Differences this time around: Let's see how I can put this tactfully...the bump is not the only thing getting bigger...my boobs and booty both feel like they're growing at warp speed.  EEK!  ;)

Be sure to check back in later this week for a fun giveaway...hint: it's a super cute way to document your weekly updates!  :)

xo natasha