32 Weeks

How far along? 32 Weeks {first 32 week update}. 

Baby Size: A squash

Total weight gain: 22 pounds, ish.

Maternity clothes? Scooped up this cute non-maternity sweater thanks to Jane!  It's from H&M and works great as a pregnancy top.

Stretch marks? Lathering on the lotion multiple times a day!

Sleep: Meh.  My lower back and shoulder are killing me!  Welcome to month 8.  ;)

Best moment this week: Spending a rainy fall Saturday parked on the couch with some hot cocoa.  Savoring the little moments like that.  OH!  And Ryan was my hero and brought home this beloved stool for the nursery....it's starting to shape up!

Miss Anything? I think I'm going to miss all the holiday cocktails coming up this week!

Movement: Big movements all over the place.

Food cravings: Still loving my sweets.

Gender: BOY!

Looking forward to:  Going down south to see friends and family this Thanksgiving weekend!

xo natasha

Ethan's Wish List

I just can't believe Thanksgiving is this week, Christmas is about 30 days aways and our next baby will be entering into the world in about 60 days!  AHH!!

In an attempt to keep things moving, I've put together a little wish list for Ethan.  I worry that we won't decorate that much this year but I really want to make sure to keep Christmas special for Ethan.

Ethan has just gotten into legos and he LOVES tractors, so I figured this tractor set would be appropriate.

This little firehouse is the perfect "boy-friendly" version of a dollhouse.  Ethan loves playing with an old dollhouse at his grandma's, so I am sure he would love this.  And if I'm being honest, I really just love this traditional dollhouse.

Ethan got a play kitchen for his birthday and I think he would love to have some pancakes to whip up...just like his daddy on the weekends.

This mountain kid needs some more hats to keep warm this winter.

In addition to tractors, Ethan really loves trains too.  He would love a wooden train track set...and you can't beat the price of this Ikea version!

Ethan is getting more and more into books, so I'm enjoying collecting them.  This moose book looks too cute!

Last, Ethan is pretty obsessed with Micky Mouse Clubhouse, so I am sure he would go nuts over this plush version.

What's on your toddler's Christmas list this year?

xo natasha

PS...there's still time to enter my Minted.com $250 giveaway!  Enter here!

Friday Five

Happy Friday!  I am especially happy the weekend is here...this week seemed a little longer than usual--I'm sure it's because of the building anticipation with the holidays around the corner!

I am SOOOO excited for Disney's new Cinderella...it's my very favorite Disney movie and this version looks amazing.  Have you seen the trailer yet?  Contrarily, I'm not as excited for the new Annie...I mean, can you really replace Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan?

I am also really happy that Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is back.  TV has been so slow lately and I just can't get enough of these crazy ladies.  I am especially happy that Carlton is gone!

If you missed my holiday wish list, you can find it here.  I'm thinking I also want to add a nice, new robe, especially for the hospital after I've delivered this little bambino.

Have you seen this video?!  My husband and I were cracking up over it and also secretly freaking out.  This is SO going to be our life before we know it.  #lifewithtwoboys

Last, I'm so excited to introduce my newest sponsor, Caley of Ellie Love.  Caley is a total sweetheart and I'm in love with her sweet little family.  Be sure to get to know her below {check out her house!!} and pop over to say hi!  ;)

INTRODUCTION

Hi everyone!

My name is Caley - a 29 year old lucky lady living in Durban, South Africa and I blog over at Ellie Love.

FAMILY

I married to the man of my dreams, Marc on 2 October 2010 after four years of dating long distance (between South Africa and London). In April 2012, we were blessed with our first daughter, Sophie Jade and in May 2014, another little princess, Ellie Nicole (no she wasn't named after my blog!) joined our family.

CAREER

I am currently a stay-at-home-mom to our two little girls but have a Bachelors Degree of Arts and a Post Grad in Education - I am therefore a qualified Intermediate school teacher. Before having children, I worked in PR and Advertising working on print advertisements, events and press releases for many Unilever products before furthering my studies and teaching for a few months. I am very grateful to be able to be at home with our girls and be an active part of their daily lives.

I also spent the year of 2013, project managing the building of our dream home. We were so blessed to be able to purchase land and build a home from scratch - it was a huge achievement and great fun for me to plan and watching the building go up, brick by brick. I absolutely love every square of our home.

HOBBIES

I love to travel, cook and bake, read books and magazines, organise and host parties, blog and teach and being with friends. I am A-type personality with OCD so I love to get involved, organise and write lists. It is no surprise then that I would love to start my own business - either opening a small play school for toddlers or a party planning business - both require organisation and planning. My own business would also allow me the flexibility of being a SAHM too!

WHY I BLOG

I started a blog just after we got married but with severe morning sickness in my first pregnancy, I was unable to blog consistently and gave it up altogether. I started my new little creative space: Ellie Love in 2012 when I craved and missed the creativity of writing and the opportunity of having an online diary  to share with friends and family, and meet new blogging friends all over the world.

I BLOG ABOUT...

My blog is labeled a lifestyle blog as I blog about anything and everything that goes on in our lives - from recipes to reviews, holidays to parties, good times and bad times, blog challenges and goals, motherhood and marriage. It's a little a bit of everything.

I look forward to having you over at Ellie Love and getting to know you all a bit better.

Thank you Natasha for having me - a friend of yours is a friend of mine.

x

Thanks so much to Caley for stopping by!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

xo natasha

Her Wishlist 2014

Gift guides are everywhere, so I am joining the masses and getting started on ours for the season.  First up, is my wish list {not self-serving at all!}.

I remember a similar scarf from Zara last year and am now seeing this copy-cat version everywhere...love it!

My Maya Brenner "E" necklace broke earlier this year, but instead of replacing it, I think I want to get the double version to include our second baby.  And yes...we are pretty set on a name!  ;)

UGGs make the comfiest slippers...and I am loving this port color.

When I was in Portland, I fell in love with this candle...the vanilla fig scent is divine!

Speaking of divine scents, I am also in love with Jo Malone's Tuberose Angelica is so sultry and perfect for the winter.

Perhaps the thing I am most hopeful for on my wish list is the new iPhone 6...and of course, I need a new case to go with it!  ;)

Last, I was SO sad to miss out on this shirt from last year's JCrew collection...luckily, JCrew Factory is carrying it this year.  They also have a pajama pant version of it too!

What's on your list this year?

xo natasha

PS...don't forget to enter my $250 Minted.com giveaway!

$250 Minted.com Card Giveaway!

Many of you know of my adoration for Minted...we've done many Christmas cards through them, as well as Ethan's birth announcement and several party invitations.  They simply are the best!

This year, they have several fun options to make sure you have a unique card for the holidays.  I love their foiled collection {so pretty!} and they also introduced booklet cards this year.

These booklets are a darling way to showcase the entire family...and you won't have to settle on one photo!

Minted also started customizing the recipient addresses as well...they don't skip a beat!  ;)

Another fun addition this year, is their foiled art prints...which would make a perfect gift this holiday season!  I'm also loving this gold-foiled print of California!

Now for the fun part...Minted is giving away $250 credit to one lucky winner!  Simply enter here for a chance to win!  Winner will be announced next Wednesday.

Thanks and good luck!

xo natasha

31 Weeks

How far along? 31 Weeks {first 31 week update}. 

Baby Size: A coconut

Total weight gain: 20+ pounds

Maternity clothes? More leggings and cozy sweaters.

Stretch marks? Doing ok still.

Sleep: Ugh, it's getting harder.  My left foot keeps cramping and it's SO painful.  Also, my lower back is taking a major toll.  Oh and it seems like my allergies are acting up...my eyes were so goopy the morning I took this photo.  Oy!

Best moment this week: Taking our Christmas photos this past weekend!

Miss Anything?  I miss my back feeling normal.

Movement: Lots of rolls and kicks into the ribs!

Food cravings: Sweets and more sweets...the holidays are here!

Gender: BOY!

Looking forward to: No big plans this week...just thinking more and more about the room decorating.  And I can't believe that this little man will make his debut in less than 10 weeks...that is CRAY-ZAY!

Differences this time around: I feel like the foot cramps are way worse this time around!

xo natasha

Getting Festive with Mary Kay + $100 Giveaway!

For me, the winter months mean changing up my makeup routine and getting a little more festive with my color palette...especially around the holidays!  With parties galore around the corner, it's fun to have more opportunities than usual to get dressed and dolled up.  For makeup, I love to add a nice glow to my cheeks and shimmer to my eyelids.  And of course, for wardrobe, a little sparkle along with rich patterns, are a must!

I recently had the opportunity to play around with some new Mary Kay® goodies...what girl doesn't love a chance to play dress up?  And I've recently become more familiar with Mary Kay® cosmetics since they became the go-to makeup source for Project Runway {I love that show...please tell me I'm not the only one!}.    

The look I got to try out is the Festive Flirt look {oh yes!}, which included a really pretty amber and copper eye shadow.  I think the colors complimented my dark eyes and features really well...without making me look too "over the top".  

They provided a step-by-step guide on how to best apply the eyeshadow--which was super helpful for a mom-on-the-go, like me:

Highlight inner corners of the eyes with Amber Blaze mineral eye color. Brush Copper Glow from eyelids to creases and along lower lash lines. Line with black eyeliner. Top eyeliner with Coal and smudge.

Easy enough, right?  Here are the results:

The lipstick...called Whipped Berries was also really pretty!  I don't wear a ton of lip color, but I will definitely "whip" this out for the upcoming holiday season.

Mary Kay makes applying makeup super easy with their step-by-step tutorials, as well as their video tutorials.  You can find them, along with other inspiration, on MaryKay.com.

Other looks in the holiday collection include Merry Berry, Playful Party Girl and Holiday Romance...there's a little something for everyone!

Now for the fun part!  Mary Kay is offering one reader a $100 Visa gift card plus a collection of Mary Kay® products to create one of the looks featured + some beauty essentials.  All you have to do is comment below on your favorite Mary Kay look.

Thanks and good luck!

xo natasha

Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 11/17/2014 – 12/21/2014.
Be sure to visit the Mary Kay brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts! 

Holiday Family Photo Attire

For Her: Dress // Scarf // Boots

For Him: Shirt // Jeans // Boots

For Little: Hat // Shirt // Jeans // Boots

I'm hoping to have our picture taken this weekend or next, and naturally, it has me thinking of what we all should wear.  I don't like to be too matchy matchy, but I do love keeping a similar color palette, while mixing up patterns.  

What's your favorite family photo attire look?

I hope you have a great weekend!

xo natasha

Parmesan Chicken // Healthy Comfort Food

I've never run across a Barefoot Contessa Recipe that I haven't loved...and this is no exception.  The breaded chicken which has parmesan in it, makes for a perfectly crisp entree.  It's like a chicken fingers for adults.  And the best part is the fresh lemony salad on top...we included arugula for that peppery flavor.  Yum yum!  This is a great fall meal but is still fresh/healthy enough to become a regular staple.

Recipe via Ina Garten

Ingredients//

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 extra-large eggs
1 1/4 cups seasoned dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Unsalted butter
Good olive oil
Salad greens for 6, washed and spun dry

Lemon Vinaigrette:
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/2 cup good olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method//

Pound the chicken breasts until they are 1/4 inch thick. You can use either a meat mallet or a rolling pin.

Combine the flour, salt, and pepper on a dinner plate. On a second plate, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water. On a third plate, combine the bread crumbs and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Coat the chicken breasts on both sides with the flour mixture, then dip both sides into the egg mixture and dredge both sides in the bread-crumb mixture, pressing lightly.

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan and cook 2 or 3 chicken breasts on medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Add more butter and oil and cook the rest of the chicken breasts. Toss the salad greens with lemon vinaigrette. Place a mound of salad on each hot chicken breast. Serve with extra grated Parmesan.

Enjoy!

xo natasha

30 Weeks

How far along? 30 Weeks {first 30 week update}. 

Baby Size: A large cabbage

Total weight gain: I show 21.5 pounds but my doctor had me at 14 pounds.  I actually lost weight in my first trimester, so that must be where the discrepancy is coming from.

Maternity clothes? Maternity bottoms and regular tops.  This one is from Target.

Stretch marks? Getting more paranoid by the day...

Sleep: My lower back is definitely starting to take a toll.  I feel huge, achy and did I mention huge?

Best moment this week: Visiting Jane in Portland...recap here!

Miss Anything?  Missing amazing coffee in Portland...and their donuts too!

Movement: Yes, all the time!

Food cravings: Let's see...bagels, especially the pumpkin flavored ones.  Sweets...of any kind.  And Raisin Bran...random!

Gender: BOY!

Looking forward to: We *plan* to start working on the nursery and big boy room this weekend.

Differences this time around: My doctor said it's not in my head, that in subsequent pregnancies, you tend to get larger faster but then in the third trimester, it slows down {aka we don't keep growing...I hope that's true!}.  Also, that you may experience a lot more lower pressure, which is definitely the case with me.  Overall, I just feel less limber and able to get around.

xo natasha

Portland Trip aka A Preggo's Paradise

This past weekend, Ryan and I had the pleasure of escaping to Portland for what I like to think of as a mini babymoon {read: vacation before baby #2 makes his debut}.  Ever since our friends Jane {of In the Pink and & Green} and Cameron moved to Portland, I have been drooling over every picture she posts.  Since Jane and I are both pregnant...she's due December 4th...I thought, what better time to go visit than now?  They were so gracious in hosting us and showing us around town.  I ate to my heart's {and belly's!} content and it was wonderful to spend time with good friends.  

Get ready for picture overload...

Arriving at PDX airport...this shot is mandatory for the "fun" rug.

We got in around Friday noon, which meant it was time for lunch.  We checked out the food carts in downtown and the Güero Tortas did no disappoint.  I got the refrito torta with egg...yum!

We walked around downtown and checked out the Pearl district and Powell Bookstore...which is the largest independent bookstore in the world.  In a world of Amazon's, I have to say there is still nothing quite like browsing for books.  

Of course all of that walking made us work up an appetite, so we stopped for Stumptown coffee, which had the most delicious almond milk latte, and donuts at Blue Star.  I opted for the Lemon Poppy while Ryan went for the Real Maple & Bacon.  Their donuts are super light and fluffy...definitely the best we'd ever had.  

For dinner, we went to Double Dragon, which was this funky little Asian joint with moody lighting and hand-crafted cocktails.  Ryan got the ginger margarita, which is one of my favorite!  I was drooling watching him drink it.  I got their seasonal lemongrass and lobster soup with a side of their miso fries...DELISH!

Of course, we had to end the night on a sweet note, so it was off to Salt & Straw.  OH man!  Their flavors are out of this world!  They let you test any and all of their flavors which is especially amazing when they have seasonal flavors like Salted Caramel Thanksgiving Turkey and Hazelnut Rosemary Stuffing!  I ended up getting the Spiced Chèvre Pumpkin Pie and Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons, though if I went back, I would definitely get the Arbequina Olive Oil...so so tasty!

Saturday morning, we walked to brunch.  I could not get over the gorgeous colors and all of the tree lined streets!

We had brunch at Broder, a cute Scandinavian spot.  We started with the Danish pancakes, which had a side of lemon curd and lignonberry jam.  And then I had the delicata squash and chèvre baked scramble.  I am still dreaming of those pancakes!

The sign outside Broder was too good to pass up!

We got to check out Schoolhouse Electric...such a treat!

We also got to see Mt. Hood on our tour around Portland that afternoon.

Later, we stopped by the gorgeous rose gardens...did you know that Portland is known as the City of Roses?

Between shopping and sightseeing...we stopped for a quick bite at Oven and Shaker pizza and we ordered the spicy salami pizza...it comes with honey on it, yum!

Later that day, we had to refuel with macraons from Nuveri and coffee from Barista.  We were loving all the seasonal colors & flavors.

Yes, it's true we're 6 weeks apart...doesn't Jane look great??

Dinner with this handsome guy!

Blogger Husbands.

Our dinner was at Olympic Provisions which is in an industrial area.  They're known for their meats and this place did not disappoint!  The decor was super cool too.

Are you still with me?  Our last day, we went to Pine State Biscuits...I got the McIsley sandwich with a side of marionberry jam!  And of course, afterwards, I had to get one more coffee fill so we stopped at Pip's Original which served an amazing almond milk raw honey latte and the cutest mini donuts with nutella on them.  It was such a great way to end the weekend!

I am sure I put on 5+ pounds this weekend, which is a sure sign of success, don't you think?  Me and baby are pretty happy right about now!  ;)

Thanks again to Jane and Cameron for being such amazing hosts...I'm already daydreaming about my trip back to Portland!!

xo natasha

Friday Five

Happy Friday everyone!

1. I recently guest posted over at Ellie Love on my favorite on-the-go look.  Be sure to click over for outfit details!

2. Have you heard about Brittany Maynard?  She passed away {by choice} this past Sunday and spent her final months educating the masses on her cancer diagnosis and decision to die with dignity.  Her story is both heart breaking and inspiring at the same time.

3. On a lighter note, I just about died laughing at this video.

4. I loved Ashlee's post yesterday on having a second baby and what it means to really take it all in with two.

5.  I am literally giddy to be on our way to Portland to visit Jane this weekend.  Be sure to follow along on Instagram...and literally watch me pack on 5-10 pounds!  ;)

Have a great weekend!

xo natasha

Pssst...there's still time to win $40 to In Bloom Boutique...enter here!

Baby #2 Nursery Design Board

Since finding out that we're having a boy, my ideas have changed on what I want for his nursery.  You last saw this gender neutral board here, but since then I've been much more drawn to somewhat of a mid-century modern, eclectic and almost "western" theme, if you can call it that.

We already had the crib, rocker, and mobile, but it's this american buffalo print from The Animal Shop that has me pretty much obsessed with going in this direction.  I wish we could afford to buy a big one for over the crib, but at $3,500 for the 30"x40", it's just not going to happen!  So I settled on the small version and also just commissioned the amazing Yarn Bombed store to make these kick-ass antlers.  

Are you seeing a theme yet?  

We bought this shag rug and I just kicking myself for not getting the above faux fur stool from Target {though I am considering this similar option}.  Next, I need to find a cool kilim pillow and brass fixture to match our new...

dresser!!  Ain't she a beaut?  We found her on Craigslist and I am positive we will keep the natural wood color and the brass hardware, but I am thinking about adding some legs/feet to the bottom to give it more of a mid-century look.  Thoughts?

So that's where we stand with the nursery...I am getting more and more excited about putting the plans into place.  But first, I need to move Ethan over to his big-boy room!

xo natasha

PS...don't forget to enter for a chance to win $40 to In Bloom Boutique!