My sweet readers, what are you up to this weekend? Alex and I are cooking up spaghetti bolognese and reading baby books. Also, I'm excited to try this goat cheese, which I found today at the farmer's market. (It's made by a husband-and-wife team, who left their big-city jobs to buy forty goats and make cheese. Awesome.) Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few great posts from around the web...xoxo
Every summer, I daydream about having a ton of picnics, but end up having fewer than I'd like. So, wouldn't it be fun to start a Summer Picnic Club? I've been thinking of inviting friends to meet at different parks around town every other Saturday. Everyone would bring their own blanket, plus a snack to share, and Alex and I would also bring frisbees and a bubble machine (and the baby!). It would be so much fun to have a recurring outdoorsy event to look forward to.
I loved this seagull bag, and now there's a print! Apparently, the dapper dude is named Sammy.
Today's giveaway is from Moop, a Pittsburgh studio that makes beautiful handmade bags. They're offering one lucky winner the bag of her choice. These soft and wonderful bags are perfect for adventures around town. And check out their two new designs--the Small Messenger and a collection of 100% organic bags.
Just a pretty photo for you this morning. Don't these look delicious?
Today's giveaway is from Babette, a jewelry shop run by a British designer. She's offering a pair of these beautiful zen hoops. The hammered gold hoops display rare vintage silver metal beads from the World War II era. Isn't that amazing? These earrings would look gorgeous while drinking wine in a restaurant's garden this summer...or anytime really. :)
One of my guy friends used to wear Kiehl's Musk 1921, which is the greatest scent. Luckily, it also works on ladies (deep, rich, tomboy-ish, awesome), so I've been trying it out myself. I have to say, I'm really into it. The sexy scent pairs well with T-shirts and jeans, and you won't be able to stop sniffing your wrist.
Now that I'm almost eight months pregnant, I've been thinking so much about what our baby will look like. It's so crazy to feel him kicking all the time and feel like I already know him, but still have no idea how to envision his little face. So, I've been looking through some of my and Alex's childhood photos, since he'll probably look like a combination of the two of us, right? (Blond hair with a big head, methinks?) Ahh, I CANNOT WAIT to finally see his teeny face and hold him in my arms!!!
My twin sister Lucy and me (I'm on the right side in all the photos)...
And Alex as a little dude. (Isn't he funny in that straw hat and red shorts?:)
I have a perfectly good pair of rain boots already, but I'd secretly love a pair of Hunter's Wellington boots. They're elegant, slim and tall, so they make your legs look miles long. And the Queen of England wears them. La di da! I've been trying my best to rationalize a purchase. :)
I'm really drawn to simple weddings these days, so I'm loving Bryce and Stephanie's afternoon wedding in Michigan. Their dog Morty was the enthusiastic best man, and Stephanie carried a bunch of wildflowers. She found her beautiful dress at Loehmann's (Loehmann's!) for $55. And isn't it gorgeous how she tucked her veil under her bun? I don't think I've ever seen that before! So graceful and old-fashioned. xo
My lovely readers, what are you doing this weekend? My friends are sweetly throwing me a baby shower--a classic New York brunch with bagels and mimosas!--and our families are coming into town. I can't wait to see everyone. Also, the baby's crib arrived in a huge box today. Setting up the crib feels like one of those big life moments and kind of gives me goosebumps! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and in the meantime, here are a few great posts from around the web...
When we were little, my mom used to wear beautiful, baggy shirts like this one. (See exhibits A and B:) She would roll up the sleeves, wear her hair down, and look so relaxed and chic. When I saw this striped shirt, it reminded me of her, and I'd love to have it as a new mom.
And this elephant pillow is so cute, for kids or grown-ups, don't you think? The print is by the fabulous Elisabeth Dunker, from Sweden. xoxo
Ming Thompson, a Harvard grad student with a sweet tooth, created this rad website with cupcake and cookie recipes. The recipes are all super creative, with ingredients like Guinness beer, figs, and lots of sour cream. Double thumbs up!
Today's giveaway is from White Owl, a handmade jewelry shop run by two sisters. They're offering this Grey Garden Necklace, featuring black lace flowers on a vintage chain. I'm head-over-heels for this necklace, which would look amazing at a dinner party.
Readers often ask me where to go wedding-dress shopping in New York, and, until now, I never quite knew where to send them. (I found my dress at J. Crew.)
Oh man, I just had my first (or third) pregnancy meltdown. I got super stressed over nothing and called Alex in tears, who was very sweet and thankfully did not write me off as crazy. Pregnancy hormones can really do a number on an otherwise regular person! On a happier note, here are two pretty things I've been thinking about lately...
Recently I've seen a few women wearing simple gold wedding rings by themselves (without engagement rings). I think it's such a chic, beautiful look, don't you?
Also, how pretty are these braids? Perfectly messy and lovely.
Jessi Arrington loves color, so she decided to have a rainbow birthday party. Everyone had to dress in a single color, and Jessi herself changed into a different color every hour! Awesome. (Click the photo to enlarge.) 
