I've been trying to find a scent I really like that I can have throughout the house. Something clean, yet nostalgic. I've been reading about the William-Sonoma signature scent that lingers throughout the store and really enjoy that smell so I found a recipe on Pinterest (surprise!). #currentlysimmering

Here is the recipe:

1 cup of water
2 slices of lemon (I squeeze the juice from part of the lemon that didn't make it into the pot as well)
3 sprigs of rosemary from our rosemary plan
1 tsp of vanilla extract

Put it all in the crockpot on low and add water ever so often.
Updated: LEAVE THE LID OFF. In any of the blogs I read that had made this, none said to leave the lid off so I put it on. When my hubby got home, he took the lid off and within minutes the whole house smelled amazing!

I just put this in and turned it on. YUMMMMM. Right now I can smell the vanilla but I hope all the other smells come through in combination. Since I'm home, I'll leave it on for a few hours and see what happens! Make sure to add water once in a while!

While I know everyone's eyes were glued to who was wearing what at the Oscars, mine were particularly glued to the bump styles going. My favorite look of the night? Olivia Wilde in Valentino! I loved the simplicity of the dress and THE POCKETS!!!


Other ladies sporting their bump...

Kerry Washington in in a silky amethyst number by Jason Wu



Emma Hemming in a simple black gown (designer unknown)



and Elsa Patky (who is expecting twins!)  stunning an embellished gown by Elie Saab

Hello hello hello! I've been a super busy bee lately. My hubby just had his 35th birthday and we celebrated with some of his closest friends and family. With all the extra weight I'm carrying, I had to make sure I was doing a little each day of the week and to not tire myself out. The party turned out great but unfortunately, I didn't take a whole lot of pictures. :( In fact, I only took 1 during the party! BUT I did want to share a fun DIY with you...

Since it was his 35th, I wanted to do a fun bunting project. I asked my super adorable mother-in-law to see if she could find some pictures of him as a kid. Then, I scanned them and cut them into triangles with the help of clipping masks in Photoshop CS6.



I was going to make the bunting with cardstock but with about 37 pictures, it was going to be costly (cardstock can be pricey!). So while searching for candlesticks for a different project, I came across some colorful bunting at $1 each! I picked up 3 and we pinned them across the living room and I took clothespins and added them to the bunting.




All in all, we thought they came out great and everyone that came into the room got a little laugh of "Little Chris in the 80's".

This was my favorite picture... I think everyone has the gratuitous baby-in-sink image!

Once again, I've been slacking BUT with good reason. We found out that we are expecting a baby in May and I've been trying to adjust to preglife. That's right! Baby H is due in May! I apologize for the lack of posts and promise to keep up!



So, I thought I'd use this post for my first preggo update!

Week: 26 (almost to the end of the second trimester YAYYYYYY!!!). I thought i'd be able to blog more but in the first trimester, I felt too sick to do anything! The second trimester has been a lot more forgiving so I've been away from the computer and out enjoying the sights and sounds. That's what happens when you are basically sleeping for 3 months! We took the bump to a listening party in SF, out to Lagunitas Brewing Co in Petaluma and are planning a few more small trips before she arrives.

Gender: Its a Girl!

Cravings: I haven't really had too many cravings, i'm into acidic stuff like salsa or citrus.

Sleep: Pretty well! I had more bladder calls in the first trimester than the second and am sleeping soundly through the night for the most part.

Body Changes: Bully Button isn't out yet but its way sensitive! No stretch marks yet (knock on wood) and am lathering up with coconut oil and aveeno lotion. My lower back has started hurting and I have a tendon near my rib that aches in the evening. The bump is in full effect and I have a little waddle when I walk.

Weight Gain: about 12 pounds. Funny enough, when I found out I was pregnant and had stopped drinking, I dropped 5 pounds! I was a little under weight but am definitely making up for it with my appetite back!

Work Outs: Daily walks and one of my good friends bought me a pregnancy fitness dvd so the hubby and I do it on occasion. I've been walking more than working out though.

Things missed: V. Sattui Rose Wine and sushi!

Maternity Clothes: I've caved and bought some preggo skinny jeans from H&M. I'm living in fleece lined leggings too. Since its winter, I've also purchased boxy sweaters and will invest in some really cute faux leather maternity leggings. Once spring hits, i'll definitely be in maxi dresses and skirts.

New Experiences: She is kicking like CRAZY and has her moments where she likes to stretch out to the point that I can see a bulge on one side of my tummy. Its really neat and sometimes weird. I do love when Chris says goodnight to her every night. She likes to kick back in response. :)

Cheers to new adventures!

-M

New Year's Eve has always been my FAVORITE holiday! It (for me) symbolizes a new beginning: to reflect on the last year and what I'd learned and done and to look forward to the new year ahead.

Some things I've been reflecting on:

• Moving to San Luis Obispo and meeting new friends and loving my job down there. (Doesn't hurt that I was 10 minutes from the beach!!!)

Winter at beach was AMAZING!

• The hubby and I picked up golfing!

• I went back to Bikram yoga after a 3 year hiatus.

• Moving back home for my hubby's new job that he LOVES!

• GETTING MARRIED!

• Losing my aunt to cancer

• Moving into a super cute house and decorating it

• Picking up blogging again

I hope for myself (and for YOU) that 2014 will bring positive things and happiness!

I hope to continue to blog about more things to come and to share them with you!

Thank you for reading! Happy New Year!

-Melissa

Looking for those last minute gifts to give your girlfriends? Here are a few suggestions that could help you!

I bought some of these socks from Tarjay and have been wearing them ALL WINTER! They're soooo warm and come in lots of colors to compliment your wardrobe! Infinity scarves are another great present! You can wear them doubled up or as a single loop and they're warm when paired with a slouchy sweater or jacket.
I helped my hubby shop for some of his staff and picked up a few wintery scarves and some really blingy Betsey Johnson pens.  I hope they enjoy their gifts! Lastly, I'm a giant fan of Archipelago candles and love the Bergamot Tobacco. It has a warm smell with Italian bergamot, lemongrass, patchouli, crushed nutmeg and its made of soy.

I guess I'm proof that little ladies can rock the runway? Or someone played a funny joke on me. :) Let me just preface that by saying that I am (on a good day) 5'5 and am a former commercial model. I must have done something right to earn the ability to walk runway!

Last Saturday night, I had the privilege of walking for Ronnie Escalante, a finalist designer that was on season one of FashionStar for the Launch Fashion Show, a 2 day art/fashion/music festival in Sacramento. I'd seen a few episodes that he was on and was thrilled to walk for such a talented guy! Ronnie is a SF native with an eye for design and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Call time was pretty early (3pm) for the show which started at 9pm. With 65 models, it was a fairly tight fit considering all of the hair, make-up and nail specialists and other people helping with the show.

His designs are modern with clean lines and are versatile for day and night looks. He also has an evening wear collection that is heavenly. I wore a gray bodycon dress that fit me to a tee! Here are a few pics from the show.