Happy New Year

I am at work for a half day today and can't wait to get home! I was super lazy and drove the car to work and parked in a lot near my office. I will be paying nearly $20 for 4 hours of park time. I hate wasting money, but the idea of parking further away and taking a bus to my car seemed like a waste of time and seemed to defeat the purpose of driving in the first place. (I feel like I deserve it at this point since I am 34 weeks today!) Do you know that I have only had ONE mani/pedi since I have been pregnant and I have YET to get a massage or any other pamper treatment!!! I know it is because of the timing of everything- buying a house is so expensive, and now every dollar seems to count. Plus we will need to pay for childcare soon, and we just bought a VERY expensive camera- wasting money seems so more frivolous now. (like the parking today- that could have been a manicure!)

Speaking of wasting money! Tonight is New Years Eve!
Big Guy and I decided to stay in a cook a french meal together- we went all out since it is the two of us and we'll be having the works!
I think we have six courses planned- I hope they all work out.

1st Course: Mini potato pancakes with creme fraiche and caviar

2nd course: Shrimp with coconut orange vinaigrette on a bed of red oak lettuce (inspired by a dish at Froggy's in Highwood)

3rd Course: Escargot with herbed garlic butter

4th Course: Crispy ostrich with broth and homemade almond butter smear (inspired by a dish at May Street Market in West Loop/West Town)

5th Course: Grilled duck breast with black currant sauce (inspired by a dish at Froggy's in Highwood)

6th Course: Poached pears with caramel sauce and ice cream

This will definitely be a sink or swim situation. Hopefully it will be fun instead of stressful- and it was all Big Guy's idea! I am looking forward to spending time together cooking!
I will take pictures to let you know how everything goes. I hope everyone has a fun and safe evening!

Winter Wonderland....enough already

If you live in the Chicagoland area- chances are you don't care about having a White Christmas anymore- you are sick of the stuff already! (the above picture is from the Internet- I didn't take it, i took it from here- http://www.crh.noaa.gov/Image/lot/27772566.jpg)

Hopefully you didn't have to venture out much on Friday! My office was closed due to the weather, so I stayed inside virtually all day doing nothing much at all. I managed to get a little work done, but spent the morning lounging with Big Guy watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It was a nice and lazy day- followed by a hectic Saturday gift hunting for Big Guy's family and a very cold Sunday. Big Guy Shoveled the back of the house near the garage and little paths to the door at least once a day! I think the novelty of the whole " it is winter, I am a man and I will shovel my land," thing has worn off. Poor thing.

On another note, Big Guy has expressed some interest in slimming down, and I have been trying to help him think of ways to do this. Unfortunately, a gym membership isn't really in the budget right now, and he has never been one for running- especially in winter, so we may be limited to the whole jumping jacks, sit ups and push ups routine, but I wondered if anyone had ideas of healthy lunch options and dinner options for that matter, that might keep him on the right track?

I hope all of you have a nice holiday this week. I am working tomorrow, so I should have one or two more posts in me this week. I am hoping to get some nursery pics and some holiday decor pics up before Thursday.

Happy Holiday to all of you- stay safe and have a wonderful week!

I am including some winter wonderland shots from around our house

Holiday Gripe

I removed the post- I am trying to be more in the Holiday Spirit- no more griping.
Thanks all for your support.
By accident, I deleted some comments - so please don't take it personally if your comment isn't visable.
Thanks

32 Weeks!

I can't believe that I am 32 weeks along! It seems like just yesterday that I told you all that I was going to have a baby! It has been a roller coaster so far, but I can't complain. I have managed to avoid many of the really hard parts of pregnancy that so many people have to deal with and I am so lucky to be pregnant at the right time for me-many people get pregnant too soon or have to go through a lot of waiting a frustration before it happens for them and I think of them whenever I am feeling sorry for my big fat bloated self and remember how lucky I am.

At this point- my little preppy baby is around 4 lbs and 19 inches long. He is moving around so much at this point that I sometimes worry that he must be huge! He feels very strong, and rolls and turns and kicks and pushes and generally seems like he is having a wild time inside my belly. I am very excited to see him soon and can't wait to hold him.

I recently found out that my cousin and his wife are also expecting a baby- they are due in may- and I am very excited that our group of cousins has started having kids- I think it will be so much fun to see them all grow up together. Although they live in NYC, I hope our children grow up to be great friends.

We have been busy getting ready for the Holiday that seems to be sneaking up on us really quickly! Budgets are tight this year, so i have been trying to come up with thoughtful and or handmade gifts for family members. I had the idea of doing a dinner exchange with Big Guy's sister. Instead of giving each other presents, each couple could cook be in charge of an interactive night of cooking. Since both couples love to cook, I thought this might be a fun way to spend time together while doing an activity that we enjoy. For my parents, I was planning to make them matching T-shirts with our preppy baby's name on them- I know it sounds strange, but that is what my dad wants, so who am I to argue. The tricky ones are Big Guy's parents! I wish preppy baby was going to be born in time for Christmas so that I could just give framed pictures of him- but no... I will have to think of something else...any ideas?
What are you all getting for your in-laws?

Sorry I've been MIA

I haven't posted in a while- sorry. I have been so busy and pretty tired too! After Thanksgiving, I was exhausted and it took me a while to recover. Then I had a little pregnancy scare that sent me to the hospital wondering if this was it- was the baby coming early?
Warning TMI ahead:
I was having discomfort for about 12 hours before I called the doctor and asked if I could take anything that might safely assist me in going to the bathroom- I hadn't gone for 3 days and it was starting to be a problem. I would run to the restroom every 15 minutes thinking this was it- I had to go! and then nothing...eventually, it started to be painful and I was having stomach pains and cramps in waves. I called the doctor again, and they said that it could be labor! I am only 31 weeks, so obviously, I would prefer NOT giving birth at this time, but I knew that the baby would most likely be OK- most of my panic was due to the fact that I hadn't mentally prepared for this and that the baby would need help to fully develop- and who wants their baby to have to go through all that. I got to the hospital and fully expected them to examine me and send me home, but they sent me upstairs to Labor and Delivery! When I got up there, I fully expected them to examine me and send me home- but they put me in a gown and in a bed and strapped monitors to me and said that I was having contractions! It was all a little surreal and the whole time I was expecting everything to be a false alarm and no big deal...

Well, it turned out fine- I was not dilating, so the contractions were likely caused by stomach and bowel spasms (I told you this was TMI) and they made me have a procedure that aided in going to the bathroom (again...TMI). It was very uncomfortable and actually kind of humiliating- but I know it was for my own good- and afterwards, I felt so much better and after a day of resting, my contractions are a thing of the past. It was a strange and unpleasant 24 hours, but at least everything worked out and it was a sort of dress rehearsal for the real thing. Now we know where to park, where to go and even how to work the TVs!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Menu:

Pumpkin Soup

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Parmesan Garlic Roasted Butternut Squash

Mini Cheddar and Gruyere Au Gratins

Brussels Sprouts with Fried Shallots

Pancetta and Sage-Butter Rubbed Turkey

Gravy and Cranberry sauce

Apple Pie

Pumpkin Ice Cream Torte

I have an ambitious menu planned and 15 mouths to feed for my first Thanksgiving, and I am very excited. I am heading home early today to brine my turkey and put the finishing touches on my decor and table settings!

I hope everyone has a lovely holiday and can enjoy the long weekend spent with family and friends-or however you choose to spend the time.

Hooters...I'll explain

Two of my closest friends came to town this weekend to see the new house and spend some time with me before the baby. It was so much fun to see them show them my house and my new neighborhood. I had a commitment on Saturday to go to Lunch with my husband and his Grandmother, but my friends had already planned to meet up with another friend for lunch- so it wasn't a big deal. I still wasn't happy about the timing, since my husband had agreed to the lunch without my go-ahead and because it took time away from hanging out with girls that I don't see very often. BUT I rose above because it is difficult for his Grandmother to get around, and if this time didn't work, who knew when we would find another. THEN, I find out that she wants to go to HOOTERS. I couldn't believe it! Why would you take your grandson and his pregnant wife to lunch at HOOTERS? Why not just come and see our new house! Why not go somewhere not centered around beer and boobs! I was not happy. Big guy told me he wanted to buy me a new outfit for lunch so that even if I wasn't happy about where I was- i would feel great about how I looked. This worked and I decided to grin and bear it. Saturday came and we loaded into the car and hauled off all the way to the city. We had just gotten off the highway and were headed towards the "Restaurant" when I asked- what time are we supposed to be there. He called his mother to find out if she had arrived with his Grandmother- only to find out that she wasn't downtown- she was planning the lunch for NEXT Saturday. I just started crying. I don't know why! I couldn't stop. I was just so tired and disappointed that we had gone through all the trouble to get ready and drive down town and would now have to fight the northbound traffic and waste the valuable time I would have spent with my friends- for nothing! I was just upset. I told Big Guy that I wasn't mad at him, and that I understand that people make mistakes, but also that this was not the way I organize a lunch date! I confirm! I double confirm- I know what time to be there! and WHAT DAY! We finally got home and I had stopped crying when I looked in my dining room and it is filled with people!!! My friends had thrown me a surprise baby shower!!! There was no Hooters lunch- (that part was Big Guy's idea of a joke, which now I admit is pretty funny.) I have a few pictures that I wanted to share. Everything was blue and brown and so cute! I have such great friends- and I had a great time. The gifts I received were so generous and thoughtful and my little preppy baby even got a silver spoon from Tiffany- which of course all my friends thought was just hilarious...punks...

All in all it was great- minus a few tears.....but hey- I am pregnant...that is my excuse.

Dining Room Update-mini post

Not sure If I have already shared this, but we painted our dining room Navy Blue. The way this coordinates with the new living room furniture makes me so excited about the way everything works together. The green throw pillows on the couches pop even more against the navy backdrop in the distance. I thought I would share pictures of the dining room. I need to re-cover the chairs and choose a rug, but otherwise, I am pretty happy with how it looks. Plus my Vera Wang vase looks so great with Hydrangea from my yard- they have stayed green for over month now and even though I am pretty sure they are dead- they look fabulous.

House Update

We have been in our house now for about a month and a half and we are making some progress!
Last week, our living room couches arrived and against all sane advice and a lot of your wise council- we stuck with the white! They look really great, and although I am sure there will be stains in my future, we do have a stain warranty, where they remove stains or replace the couch. The coffee table also looks great, and I am beginning to dress the room with accessories and make it feel complete. I got some green pillow covers at Pottery Barn that I LOVE- but they were really overpriced, so I feel a little guilty about them. I also got an end table and will try to get some pictures of the room when I get more done. I really need to replace the floral curtains that are in that area right now because they are pretty awful.

We also made some progress in the past few days in the nursery! Big Guy worked all weekend with his Dad to put up the moulding/molding and it looks really goo. The pictures aren't that great because I was taking them at strange angles, but I think you get the idea. Additionally, we ripped up the carpet to expose wood floors that are in decent shape! There are a couple gouges in the center of the room, and eventually we will need to refinish the floor, but for now- an area rug will hide the scrapes and scratches and we will try to clean them up and make them look as good as possible. Big guy spent a few hours last night pulling staples and when I got home from running my million errands he surprised me with a staple free floor! This means that we can clean up, build the crib and start moving stuff into the nursery! I can't wait to see how it all comes together. I am really happy with how it looks so far.

Lunch Update

By the way, the soup and scones are amazing! It was really easy to make both recipes and they are really good. I didn't pay much attention to the amounts for the soup. I just cut up a couple onions and carrots and added a few cloves of garlic and cooked them in olive oil in one of my big le creuset pots until they were soft and cooked through. I added a little salt, pepper and dried basil. Then I added 2 big cans of peeled plum tomatoes and some chicken stock. I pureed it all with an immersion/hand held blender right in the pot and finished it off by adding a little more broth, a little cream and some more dried basil and a pinch of garlic salt. It is so good. For the scones I followed the recipe and they were so easy. I may have added more cheese than called for, but I am glad, because I can actually taste a cheese flavor in the finished product. The point is...you should make this soup- it is really good- and the scones are pretty awesome too- I like to dip them in the soup....

Soup and Scones!

This is what I am going to make this weekend so I can bring it for my Lunch nest week. I am sick of paying $10.00 for soup and a scone....

If you are ever at a Nordstrom Cafe, you should try the Tomato Basil Soup, which they always have- it is awesome. The scones are amazing too- but everything on Michigan Avenue is over priced, including lunch, so I have decided to to matters into my own hands and make them both myself!

Nordstrom Tomato Basil Soup

12 cups canned peeled plum tomatoes
3 lbs carrots, chopped
3 lbs onions, chopped
4 tablespoons dry basil
1 cup olive oil
2 gallons water
1 lb chicken base
3 quarts heavy cream
4 tablespoons kosher salt
4 tablespoons black pepper

In a large stock pot, saute the olive oil, carrots, and onions at medium heat for 15 minutes.
Add the basil, salt, pepper, and tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
In a large bowl, whisk the chicken base into the water until dissolved.
Add the water mixture to the stock pot, bring to a boil, and then simmer for 45 minutes.
Puree the soup using a hand blender while adding the heavy cream until it reaches a thin consistency.

(Disclaimer- not positive if the nutritional info is accurate since I found that and the recipe in different places on the web...)

Sour Cream, Cheddar, and Chive Biscuits:

Recipe from: Pinch my Salt

2 C. Bisquick

1/2 - 3/4 C. shredded cheddar cheese

2 T. snipped fresh chives

1/3 C. sour cream

1/3 C. milk

Garlic Butter (optional):In small saucepan melt 2 T. butter over low heat. Crush one small clove of garlic and add to the butter. Cook for a couple of minutes and then turn off heat. Brush biscuits with garlic butter as soon as they come out of oven.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
In bowl, mix together dry biscuit mix, cheese and chives. Blend milk and sour cream together in measuring cup then pour into dry mixture. Mix with spoon until just combined (do not overmix!). Sprinkle counter with some extra Bisquick and dump mixture onto counter. Knead gently a few times until everything is fairly well incorporated. At this point more Bisquick can be added if dough is too moist to work with. Pat out to 1/2 thickness and cut into biscuits (whatever size or shape you want). Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 8 - 10 minutes until golden. Brush with garlic butter (optional), place on rack to cool for a couple minutes then eat while warm.

I saw this online and many things caught my eye---but it was this that really made me stop in my tracks!

Does anyone have a pair of boot forms like this? Where did you get them? Why haven't I thought of this before! I love the look of them, and the practicality that they provide--actually preserving the form of your boots and keeping them looking brand new and uncreased!

I have found some uglier plastic versions online, but wonder if I might have to hunt in some thrift shops or estate sales to find the real deal in wood.

Happy Tuesday!

I voted! I feel like a dork for saying so, but it was so much fun! I have never been both home and old enough to vote before, so this was really my first official election! I really enjoyed doing my part. Even though critics say that your vote doesn't count and that it is all about the electoral college, I think that you have a duty to make your voice heard. There is a reason that they have the popular vote- and I think that at least it serves as a barometer for change and keeps the electorate in check.

Anyway, I think you should feel proud no matter how you voted. I hope to be happy on my way to work tomorrow instead of disappointed. Either way- I think it is going to be a wild four years! I can't wait to see what happens!

Things I love right now...non-baby related

Pumpkin Soup, or anything pumpkin for that matter, bread, ravioli, cheesecake, pasta creme sauce, infused butter, jam, ice cream, candles, decor....I am in autumnal heaven.

Longchamp's Le Pliage Navy Medium Tote. It is only about $100-$130 and I don't know why I don't already own it. Pennies are being pinched these days, however, and every time I go to get one for myself I think of a thousand other things I should be spending money on before this...but I love it!!! Maybe this could be on my Christmas list.

Gap's Cozy Sweater from last year---I have it in Black and one in Ivory, but they are are ratty because I wore them so often. I was hoping to get new ones this year- BUT I CAN"T FIND THEM AT GAP!!!!!!!!!!! KIKI WHERE ARE THEY---PLEASE HELP!!! Tell Gap to bring them back!!! I need a LONG BLACK TURTLENECK SWEATER!!!! Trust me- I do! Every morning when I wake up and it is freezing in Chicago (well... now, the suburbs of Chicago) all I want to put on is a fresh Gap Cozy Sweater! They were long enough to be comfy and so so soft. They are heaven, and I need more. Kiki- are there any versions of this slated for this year???

Thanksgiving centerpieces. I love Autumn and Thanksgiving and I love decorating for the holiday. I can wait to think of creative ideas to dress the table and spruce up the house now that I am hosting Thanksgiving this year.

I know....So cliche, but I am wearing them right now and they are so cozy that they almost make me forget that I don't have a new Gap Cozy sweater....

Fresh flowers...and this vase. I love this look-- Even though it is a bit off season, I think it is still OK to say one last good bye to nice weather and have a bright floral arrangement in the house- You needn't stick to just browns and golds and oranges just because it is cold outside. I was at the store the other day and saw a gorgeous spread in the floral section of Blue hydrangea, bright yellow callas, purple Iris, and happy white fluffy spider mums. I wanted to go nuts and get a whole slew of beauties, but again....penny pinching.....

Belted sweaters. How cute are these? I really wish I wasn't getting too fat for my skinny jeans because this sort of sweater would look so cute with my riding boots and jeans....and maybe a matching tam and a bright scarf.

Hotel-like guest rooms. I love the soothing, calm and posh look of this room. I think it is from one of Gwyneth Paltrow's houses. I get to decorate the guest room in our new house since we just bought a new bed and we are moving ours to the guest room. This means new curtains, maybe some fabric on the walls, new bedding...maybe a basket for guest toiletries??? Ohhh- I hate penny pinching! Maybe this is worth a little spending.....

Fun fabrics and furniture. I love that I can finally start picking things out for my home. It all costs a pretty penny, but it becomes more permanent and real when you can pick things out for a home that you know you are going to be in for a while. I am loving this bench for my porch or entryway!

Nursery Details: Questions answered

Paint Color: Restoration Hardware: Atmosphere Blue-- I also really like the Seafoam color --sounds green but isn't- seems light a lighter version of Atmosphere blue.



Glider: Storytime Series by Best Chair. We looked everywhere and plush gliders seemed to be $1200 or more! We went to Lazar's in Lincolnwood and bought one out of their showroom so we got a great deal- but usually you can find them for a few hundred less than any others I have seen-- (not including crappy ones) plus the brand got an A in the baby bargains book!



Bedding is from Restoration Hardware in the color Cloud.

Let's Tidy up the Nursery

Big Guy started painting the nursery this weekend and I am so excited to see how it all comes together. He will put on the final coat tomorrow, and then this weekend we are putting up some frame moulding (large squares) in white.
Then we have a big brown plush glider- I have included a picture of what it looks like- except that ours is brown with small blue polka dots and the piping isn't solid. We have a dark wood crib

with a dresser/changer that I don't have a picture of- but it is rather simple. I am still thinking about the curtains and bedding- but I am pretty sure I like the look of this bed skirt--in blue.

New Coat!!!

I Love my new coat! I think the color is so flattering with my coloring since I am fair, and I think the darker color will be better for when I have to deal with little sticky grubby hands (So I make sense with my coats but not my furniture color choices-oh well- I have never been rational so why start now.)

I bought the small and it looks a little silly now, since I can't really button it, but I didn't want to buy a medium and then have it be too big for the many years of wear that I hope to get out of it--Let's hope this one last longer than my other one! Big Guy bought me this coat in the Trench color last year and I wore it in the fall and then spring came and the coat started to fall apart! The quilted stitches started to unravel and pardon my demand for quality, but that is just not what I would expect from Burberry. Luckily, Big Guy purchased it at Nordstrom, because I had tossed the receipt because I was sure that I loved the coat and it had been a year since we bought it. Nordstrom was so helpful and made the exchange for me. At first I was upset because I wasn't able to exchange for the same coat- The Trench color now comes with goldish-bronzy buttons that I just didn't care for- so after much debate, I decided to get the Peat color and I love it! Although this time I am KEEPING THE RECEIPT!!!!!!

Another Question....

How do I buy a bed? Do you have to go to a separate store for the frame and the mattress--How do I avoid paying an arm and a leg and still get a good bed?
Any thoughts on this would be very helpful....

Am I Crazy?

I am about to go purchase 2 Settees for my living room and they are white..... They are off-white, maybe ecru to be fair....but still white! ....Am I nuts?

They are gorgeous and they come with a stain warranty- which is nice. But I worry because I am starting to have kids and wonder if I am setting myself up for disaster. My family room, where we'll spend the most time has a sturdy brown microfiber big comfy couch, and these will be more for chatting and sitting by the fire, and Big Guy is so sold on them he won't even look at anything else- and they are GORGEOUS.....

Am I crazy?

I LOVE IT!

I discovered a new blog thanks to Mrs. Preppy. It is called The Long Thread and it is exactly what I have been looking for! She has lots of projects and crafts and features an weekly "Make it Monday" where she shows a new project you can do! In times like this when you are stressed by work, the economy and even global and environmental issues, sometimes you just need a source of silly happiness and I think projects and crafts can be a source of relief or creative release!

Baby on the Brain!

Tomorrow marks 23 weeks down and 17 to go! That kind freaks me out because I am an inconsistent rounder. Big Guy is always laughing at the way I skip forward. I see 17 weeks to go and all I can think of is-- that is close to 12 weeks which was really no time at all!!! I have so much to do and so many decisions to make! It is a little daunting and after an unsatisfying stroller test drive last night, I started crying in the car. Big Guy didn't understand why I was so wrapped up in the stroller until he realized that it was the bigger picture that had me all worked up. The stroller wasn't the issue, it was the stroller decision- and how do I make the right one that represented ALL of the other decisions I have to start making! I just want to make the right choices and everything is so expensive that I can't afford to make a big mistake. I need to choose a crib that is safe and durable and pretty all in one and the same for the stroller and the car seat and I need to figure out childcare for when I go back to work, and I need to choose the wall color for the nursery which means I need to choose the bedding pretty soon as well.

Now I know some of you are thinking- hey, that isn't what having a baby is about, and believe me- I am well aware. I have the baby in my belly- I understand all of that! That isn't the part that worries me because I KNOW that I will love the baby and I know that we are going to do everything that we can to give him all that he needs and raise him to be kind and polite and loving and chivalrous and thoughtful and amazing- call me crazy but that doesn't worry me much because I know how much we love him already and he isn't even born! What has me stressed out is all the stuff I have looked forward to making just perfect and pretty and fun since I was a young girl. I have looked forward to picking out this stuff for so long that the decision now seems daunting! I just don't want to waste all of our money on a bad product and have to replace it.

On a less stressful note- I needed to cheer myself up by making some easy decision purchases, so I snagged these at a bargain!

I actually got the sweater in navy with red stripes but couldn't find the picture online.

The actual Polo I found had more Navy with the red and white stripes. Big Guy has the same shirt so I couldn't resist.

I had some questions for the Mums and Mums-to-be out there. Do you have any thoughts on my top two stroller pics. Please be gentle if you hate them both- but still give it to me straight.

My top three choices are the Uppa Baby Vista, the Quinny Buzz and the Bugaboo Chameleon. I really liked the Chameleon until I tried to fold it and unfold it. I am not strong/coordinated enough to do that multiple times a day. It seemed like that was a stroller for those who don't need to put it up and down much. Then I was really sold on the Quinny, but I was worried about functionality since there are many many moving parts, and the wheels are air filled- but I loved the way it worked and handled. Then I saw the Uppa Baby which seemed to combine the best of both strollers- its adjustments were smooth instead of jerky and awkward. It looks utilitarian yet preppy, much like the Bugaboo, but it folds up as easy as those BOB strollers everyone likes.

Top Choice: UPPA BABY. This seemed to have the look that I like- but with a little more ease of use. It looks like the Bugaboo, but acts like the Quinny

The Quinny Buzz: Easy to maneuver and unfolds with one touch

The Bugaboo Chameleon: Stylish and durable with lots of adjustments and millions of color options

Short and Sweet......and CUTE

How cute are these!!!! I want them for Big Guy and me!

Big News!!!

We couldn't be happier! We have what appears to be a healthy and on-track baby boy on the way! You should have seen Big Guy's face when he found out that we were expecting a boy- he was so surprised and happy. I am sure I would have been just as surprised and excited if I was having a girl, but it is just so fun to be able to picture your baby and think about them as real..I can't explain it. PLUS it is great to stop saying "it."

Directly after our appointment, Big Guy went straight to Gap and bought this

Monday Monday

This is the big week!!! Wish me luck and keep Big Guy and me in your thoughts and/or prayers!

I will try to remember to take lots of pictures of this next week to share with all of you and I will let you know what we find out at the Doctor's appointment. I am pretty worn out from being sick last week and packing all weekend, but I am doing my best to remember to take it easy and try to relax and that some things aren't worth stressing over. We got a dining set as a gift from Big Guy's parents and it looks pretty great! It was a great deal on Craigslist and a real lucky find since I am not sure of we would have been able to afford to get a nice one for a while, since we have a pretty long list of to-dos for our 100 year old house!!! I couldn't find a good picture to show you, but the people that we bought it from are selling their house so I just grabbed the picture from their real estate listing since it showed the table and part of the hutch/buffet

I had a pretty rough morning. A horrible bus driver tried to kick me off the bus because my transit card expired and the stupid CTA didn't send me a new card in time and my car had a flat, so I dropped it off at the car place near our apartment and I found out they couldn't patch it and Big Guy had to buy me a new tire. I am trying to stay in good spirits though- because I know it is better for me to stay calm and not freak out about things like this- although my pregnancy hormones did kick in and I was tearing on the bus. I hope that bus driver feels like crap.

buy this time tomorrow- I will hopefully be a homeowner!!!

Count Down

6 Days until we move
5 Days until we find out if we are having a healthy baby boy or girl
4 Days until we close on our new house
3 days until I need to have the apartment packed up
2 Days until the end of our last week in the city
1 day until the weekend

Big Guy and I have an exciting week ahead of us, and although I am sure it will be stressful, I am really excited to start the next part of our lives and get to know our new neighborhood.
I am so excited to spend fall in our new home and can't wait to have Thanksgiving and Christmas feel cozy and traditional again!!!

Pay it Forward: My Adorable Key Fob from Preppy Pink Lizard

Look what came in the mail!!!! I LOVE my key fob. I love everything about it! It goes so well with my car, which probably sounds silly but it is true and it totally suits me! Thanks so much to The Preppy Pink Lizard.

I have promised, as a winner, to pay it forward and hold my own giveaway, and I plan to do so after my best friend's wedding this weekend- and I may even have to wait until after we close on the house at the end of the month but we'll see how we go.....

We're Moving!!!!

Finally, I feel OK telling everyone about our house!!! It has been a long road and we have been searching for a home for more than a year. We have gone through many ups and downs and even had a close call, but in the end something (floor plan, neighborhood, moldy basements, TERMITES) always seemed to be wrong with every house we looked at. One house had a half bath upstairs near the bedrooms and a full bath on the main floor off the dining room. We had a house that we really liked that was way over priced and they just wouldn't come down to a price that fit the neighborhood.

Then finally, we found a house in a town we loved and we were elated when they accepted our offer. Then came the inspection where we found significant issues with the structure in the area under a kitchen addition. then came structural engineers and contractors and a battle with the sellers about who got to choose the contracting company and how much it would cost. I don't know if I have ever cried so much in my life. On top of the roller coaster of buying your first home, being pregnant has proven to be a crazy emotional firestorm as well. One day we were up and the next we were down in the dumps. One day it looked like the house was fine and the next day it seemed like the house could collapse at any moment.

At the end of the day we found that the house was fine--it is 100 years old, and so there are creaks and bumps and uneven floors but nothing out of the ordinary, and the sellers finally agreed to let our contractors repair the inadequacies under the kitchen-- so we are moving!!!! We are so excited and couldn't be more thrilled that this is almost over. Everything has been a challenge- I have had to point out mistake after mistake to our mortgage broker and our realtor and feel like I basically did both of their jobs for them--with the help of my brilliant mother who is a Mortgage genius. I have learned that not only should you not do business with friends (which I knew) you can't even do business with friends of friends!!!!

Please keep Big Guy, the baby( I am 19 weeks as of tomorrow) in your thoughts and prayers!!!

Also- Please keep my Best Friend K in your thoughts as well- she is getting married on Friday and three days ago the roof of her reception venue collapsed and because of an event in the area, there aren't any alternate venues or tents available for rent. Then the next day there was a windstorm that knocked out the power to the entire area and they are just starting to restore power to the area!!! It looks like things are going to work out--They were able to combine a smaller room with a smaller tent to accommodate the 350+ group.

K is holding up really well and I think she is amazing for keeping it together so well!!!

I can't wait to get more pictures of the house and the whole move-in and decorating process. I am almost certain that Big Guy and I are going to be paupers for some time- but I am sure we will happy in our new home!!!

My Morning! Warning: rant ahead.

AGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!

I feel like I want to tear out my hair and then take a nap! Why do government offices have to be to tedious and typical!!!! I need to renew my license plates, but I lost the paper they sent me in the mail to say I should renew them. So, I called the secretary of states office to find out what I needed to do. They were actually very helpful on the phone but the steps I needed to take seemed outrageous! First- I needed to go to a full service facility in the loop (downtown Chicago) and get a 7 day permit so that I don't get a ticket while driving to get my emissions test. Then I need to go get the test, and then I need to go back downtown and show that I passed emissions in order to get my new stickers! How am I supposed to do all this if I work 8-5 and they aren't even open that long!!! I totally admit that it is my fault that I had to get the permit thing--which they charged me $10 for, but really two separate trips every year to get my stickers renewed??? This seems soooooooo stupid. They should just let you get the stickers when you get your emissions checked!!! Also- I have been calling different offices for about 6 to 8 months trying to figure out which of the secretary of states offices databases-- apparently they have many!--has my name spelled wrong and no one seemed able to help me. NOW-- they tell me today when I asked AGAIN that it will cost $68 to fix what is obviously their error (they entered the O as a zero in my name and the u as a V...... I mean come ON!!!!

They just make me so mad!!!! Now I am sweating from walking so fast and my poor husband had to my car to the emissions test for me(what a sweetheart) and I have to go back there again tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!! AGHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!

Preppy Accessories: Cute Key Fobs

I usually don't respond to emails sent to my blog about products or merchandise--unless of course I happen to like the product independently. I was poking around a website that I learned of through an email and discovered these ADORABLE Key Fobs- and at $6, you could honestly order a couple of them!!! I think the colors are really cute and they seem lighthearted, preppy and girly. They almost have a Lilly feel to them. Anyway, I thought they were cute and I wanted to share. You can find them at Ann Veronica.

They also had this really cute racquet cover, but I might need to get better at tennis before I spend money on a really cute cover.

Banana Republic

I have been avoiding BR lately simply because I didn't see anything that I liked online or in store and really thought that a lot of their stuff was boring or over done. They seemed to be heading away from my style. WELL- they changed all that with ONE ADVERTISEMENT in the September issue of Lucky Magazine! I LOVE THIS LOOK! I love the coat, I love the bag and I even might have to have the sunglasses. This might be the new MP for fall- I am in love.

LOOK at that bag! This is the first bag i have been really excited about in the longest time and for ONCE it isn't Balenciaga or Burberry---it's Banana!

(I couldn't find the bag on the website yet....)

I am in bag LOVE.