The Day

top: Banana Republic, cardigan: Gap, pants: Loft, shoes: BCBG,

So today is the day. The day we find out who w are having. I can't wait! 

We are planning a little get together with our families to reveal who we are having. Everyone will have to chose a cupcake with topper you think the baby is going to be (boy or girl) and then bite into it to see the color. It's going to be so much fun! 

So what's your guess?
You are going to have to wait to find out...

P.S. We are up to 10,000 views and counting... Thank you all for reading sharing! 

Motherhood of Traveling Pants

pants: Gap, shirt: thrifted, blazer: Banana Republic, necklace, heels: Sharlotte Russe,  

Remember that movie "Sisterhood of Traveling Pants"? I think it was a great idea, from financial stand point. Someone needs to come up with store or online shopping site where pregnant women can exchange, sell and buy clothes. I mean, I want to look good and stylish yet I don't want to spend a lot of money on my maternity clothes.
There are other women who feel the same way, and this short period of time still deserves some attention. It would be great to have a place where you can borrow or even buy stylish maternity clothes of all sizes and then return them or sell back.
Maybe that's my calling in life? Or do they already have that? But for now I'm just going to have to go on a hunt for some cute maternity wear or start buying bigger clothes.
And this time I actually need them.

Layered Up

pants, cardigan: Loft, blazer: H&M, purse: Kate Spade NY, shoes: Ann Taylor

I love fall. With its crispy, sunny mornings and hot tea with honey. Layering up those cardigans and then some, with the very best pair of pants I have ever owed. 

They have polka dots. Yeeeek!

Fall is so charming...

 It's the mixing of those solid hues and putting on a scarf. 

It's the bright orange and yellow leaves that just take your breath away. 

It's the fresh smell of apple crisp in the oven and zucchini muffins. 

It's the quiet evenings at home with hot cider in hand and the come back of my favorite shows, currently Suits and Parenthood.
Also, it's the warm wool socks that my grandma made for me that I put on the moment I get home.
Stay warm and have a great day!

One Shirt - Two Ways

Ever since the baby started kicking and moving around inside my belly, he just doesn't quiet down. Especially, when I'm hungry. He's giving me some good kicks if I haven't eaten in about five hours and letting me know that hey, it's lunch time. 

There is no doubt this kid will blend well in our family - we like our food, he seems too. He especially seem to like chicken quesadillas with spicy salsa. That's been the craving as of late. So while you are reading this post and updating your Facebook status, I'm going to make myself another quesadilla.

P.S. I love stripes. They are just so universal and very practical. You can pair them with everything from jeans to skirts (case and point).

My Heart Can't Get Any Bigger

pic

Yesterday my hubby and I went to pick up my mom at the airport. We were having a quiet drive and just talking about this and that. 

And he showed himself. The baby kicked for the first time. I could feel it. It was a very distinct feeling and nothing in the world could describe it. I was so surprised that I teared up a little.

It was so special. 

Then in the morning, we both slept in and were lounging in PJs. He did it again but in time for me to grab hubby's hand and for him to feel it.

 It was amazing! 

It was our little growing family and the baby was right there with us. 

I wish I could describe the overwhelming joy and peace that overcame my heart. 

Becoming a mother changes you forever.

Thank you my little one for giving me this new look on life.

We will meet very soon...

P.S. Now be a good boy/girl and behave when the doctor wants to look at your whoo-ha. That's because we really want to know who you will be! 

We're Going to Party

I'm thinking about throwing a little party. I want to gather all the family and have a gender-reveal party, with some fun decorations and definitely pink/blue colored frosting on the cake. I also love making cute invitations, and DIY seems to be the best way to make this occasion a little bit more memorable. 

I know, it's our first and everything is pretty special right now. 

But why not celebrate the special moments in life? 

I have been snooping around Pinterest and getting all inspired by the super cute ideas they have. I mean, who doesn't like getting a cute invitation. It's half the fun! 

 stylishly adorable

funky fun

No, it's not a girl but can make it just white onesie 

It's fall after all!

Zucchini Muffins {recipe}

So my aunt has an organic garden and she gave me a huge zucchini. I honestly did not know what to do with it because I like my zucchini young. So I decided to find a recipe that will incorporate zucchini without compromising the flavor. I discarded of the seeds in the middle and had only the outside shell left.

These are healthy and you get your zucchini serving without compromising the taste. 

This recipe is easy, yet again, with delicious results. 

Recipe Courtesy of My Recipes

Ingredients

• 4.75 ounces whole-wheat flour (about 1 cup)
• 3 ounces all-purpose flour (about 2/3 cup)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/3 cups shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup fat-free milk
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 large egg 
• Cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. 2. Weigh or lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine whole-wheat flour and next 6 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Combine zucchini, milk, oil, honey, and egg in a small bowl; stir until blended. Make a well in center of flour mixture; add milk mixture, stirring just until moist. Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray.
3. 3. Combine 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; sprinkle over tops of muffins. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until golden. Remove from pans immediately; cool on a wire rack.

The Real Me

top, pants: Loft, necklace: J.Crew, shoes: BCBG DIY, shades: Old Navy

I want to be real.

I don't want to have another of those blogs that has a skinny model with all the designer labels.

I'm a real woman, with real issues and imperfect body. Plus pregnant.
I have a booty and now, my narrow waist is gone, being filled in by the bump. I honestly considered quitting the blog. I mean who wants to put pictures of themselves when their booty is getting bigger and you can do nothing about it? Well, I will.

I want to show the good and the bad.

The real me did not wear those heels with this outfit. The real me wore pretty silver flats and comfortably went to lunch. The real me zipped the pants while standing up, but when sat down had to let go of the button. The real me likes to wear a matching pink sweatpants and shirt while lounging at home.

The real me is wearing a maternity belly wand underneath that tee, to make sure I can still wear all my pre-pregnancy clothes.

None of this stuff is horrible, bad or even surprising. I just don't want you think of me as an image from a polished blog picture.

There are bad hair days too.

This girl is for real.

Thanks for reading!

Opinions

tee: Old Navy, blazer: H&M, jeans: Gap, shoes: PayLess Shoes

My husband is a very opinionated man. Many times he states his opinion on my clothes. He loves it when I dress stylish but his style advice is "go with simple". If there is something new in my outfit or out of the 'norm', he usually doesn't like it. 

This outfit, he said, does not go well with the belted blazer. Yet, I disagreed. 

But to compare, we took pictures of both. 

That's what we call agreeing to disagree with our opinions. We are two distinct individuals with different opinions on may things, yet over the years we have to learn to accept each other and our opinionated selves. It's a work in progress, in my opinion.

It's There

blouse: Loft, t-shirt: Express, skirt: thrifted, flats: J.Crew Factory

I think it grew over night. 

A cute little bump replaced poochie.

 It appeared out of nowhere and just kind of started hanging out with me. 

I still haven't felt the first movement and I patiently keep waiting for it. I lay in the night quietly listening to my tummy, making sure I don't miss it. 

Also, growing belly is kind of making it whole lot more real. As one of those women who haven't had any morning sickness or crazy cravings, at times it didn't feel very real. Now, I have people noticing my belly and congratulating me, which is absolutely sweet. 

On the more awkward note, there is a lot more trips to the bathroom to tinkle. Seriously, he's the size of a bell pepper but pushing on my bladder pretty hard. I don't know what's going to happen in another 10 weeks. I will probably live in the bathroom. 

Here is to being almost 5 months pregnant and loving it!

Far From Perfect

pants: Gap, blazer: Banana Republic, tank: NY&Co, shoes: Payless Shoe Co

I have to admit - I'm a people pleaser. I hate it when people don't like me and I put every effort into making sure that people do like/agree with me. There is nothing harder then hearing someone being overly critical or just simply mean, which brings on the feeling of guilt. 

That awful feeling!

The feeling that I'm not good enough, that I haven't done my part, that I haven't been honest enough, that some somehow I failed. 

I can't sleep.

I can't stop thinking about it; how I have failed yet again.

Honestly, it feels like a trap, and the only way to get out is to be better. To do much better job, to be more like other people, who are good enough. 

Well, I'm tired of it.

Yes, there are times when I have to admit that I'm wrong, and that I have made a mistake, but that doesn't diminish me as a person or educator. 

Mistakes are to learn from and move on.

So, as hard as it is going to be, I'm going to pick what's left of my self esteem and move on.

No body is perfect. 

So why am I trying to prove to the world that I am?

What's Better Than

skirt: thrifted, blazer: Target, tank: NY&Co, shoes: Tahari

- a bouquet of fresh sunflowers on my coffee table...

- morning cup of tea with a butter croissant...

- holding hands while taking a walk in park with hubby...

- hanging out with friends on Sunday night...

- smell of a the fresh cut grass...

- inspiring message in Sunday morning church...

- seeing a baby smile...

- getting home to a fresh cooked meal

- feeling the life that's growing inside for the first time

If you have at least one thing in your life that makes you smile, than it's life that's worth living.

Have a great week! 

There Are Days

top: Loft, skirt: thrifted, belt: NY&Co, shoes: Tahari, bag: Kate Spade NY

Enjoying the last days of summer and super gorgeous weather. 

There is nothing like a morning stroll through the park and a cup of tea on the porch.

There are those days when you just want to put life on hold and enjoy every second of it. 

So enjoy yourself and have a wonderful weekend.

Giveaway {Finally!}

Hello lovely readers! I know you are out there, so this is for you.

Today I bring you giveaway form Ruche Online Shop which I love! They have some amazing dresses and I'm a girl that likes to put her dress on. 

This giveaway is awesome - you can win a dress/a month for an entire year. Now who wouldn't like that? 

Pick me! Pick me!

All you have to do is head over to their website and sign up for e-mail newsletter. That's it! You are in...

Here are my picks, if I win that is.

Lost in Closet

top, pants: Loft, necklace: J.Crew (via Ebay), shoes: Guess, shades: Old Navy

Sometimes I'm lost. Lost in my own closet. I say those words 'I have nothing to wear', while my husband is mockingly laughing at me. 

Well, then there are days when I do have something in mind, but when I put it together it looks just awful. So, I start to experiment and come up with something new and really unexpected. 

I love the color and pattern of this outfit and must say, those pants are very comfy, and there is nothing better then comfy for the expanding poochie. 

I'm trying to wear all my clothes that are getting little snug around my waist, because in about 3-4 weeks, I won't be able to anymore. 

Then I won't have anything to wear for sure.

Maternity wand here I come! 

P.S. If you look closer, you can see pochie peaking out. We are small but we already have fingers and nails. Yep, take that belly fat! 

Lemon Squares {recipe}

Courtesy of My Recipes

These amazing, tangy, sweet, crunchy and absolutely delicious dessert squares are the best you will ever have. I made them over the weekend and it were amazing! Easy to make, even though I don't have a food processor, and very yummy! With the summer wrapping up, I don't feel like ice cream anymore, but these sour-sweet treats were just perfect for an afternoon tea on the porch.
I was enjoying them so much that forgot to snap a pic ;-)

Ingredients

3.4 ounces all-purpose flour (about 3/4 cup)

1/4 cup powdered sugar

3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted and coarsely chopped

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

2 tablespoons canola oil

Cooking spray

3/4 cup granulated sugar 

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind 

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 

2 large eggs 

1 large egg white 

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Place flour, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, pine nuts, and salt in a food processor; pulse 2 times to combine. Add butter and canola oil. Pulse 3 to 5 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal. Place mixture into the bottom of an 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray; press into bottom of pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Reduce oven temperature to 325°.

3. Combine granulated sugar and next 5 ingredients (through egg white) in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Pour mixture over crust. Bake at 325° for 20 minutes or until set. Remove from oven, and cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Sprinkle squares evenly with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar.

P.S. I changed couple things. 

First, I am not going to spend $5 for 3 tbsp of pine nuts, so I substituted in almonds. It gives the crust some crunch and saves you some $$.

Second, I bought Meyers Lemons, because they have a little bit more of a taste and not as sour. Therefore, reducing sugar by 1/2 cup of sugar