Blessing Baby T

Alright.

Let's see if I can write this blog post without getting too emotional ;)

So, here's the story about how my former kind of sort of boss Kate @ Every Mile A Memory turned into one of my most treasured friends.

Honestly, I don't know how it happened but I love the girl (and her guy...and her dog) to death.

Anyway, I've been waiting for the two of them to have little Baby G's running around since they said their "I Do's," okay maybe even BEFORE.

They're just the cutest couple I mean...

When Kate shared with me over a Skype date that she was expecting by showing me her little bitty sonogram, I was ecstatic for her and cried tears of happiness.

I love seeing good people, good friends, good marriages blessed with children.

It's not always the easiest thing, but it's that time you remind yourself to fill your heart with joy because one day, they'll be doing the same for you.

(I'm reminded of this because of an AWESOME IF woman I know who is preggers after so many trials and tests and struggles. Love that.)

I was counting down the days when we could be reunited (pups too!) and shower Kate and Baby G with lots of love.

So, a few weeks ago I packed my car and headed to Charlotte to partake in some reunion and baby fun.

Leo and Piper got to reunite after many months apart.

Love these two little furballs.

I got to spend a few days with Ashton (who I miss dearly!) and Leo got in on the baby blanket makin' action.

The finished product of my no-sew blanket for Baby T!

Shower time!

This adorable little dessert table was too precious for words.

The cupcakes were perfection and oh, so yummy!

Ashton made the awesome diaper cake.

Remind me to enlist her when it's my time to go.

The precious set-up with the darling tissue blossoms.

Yay! Mommy approves!

The best picture of all, but the one that will top it is when I get to have Baby T in my arms!!!

I can't wait to have another baby to love on and am excited for all the things that await Kate and Bryan on this new adventure in their lives.

Big Apple Birthday

Over a month ago, I celebrated 28 years of life.

Yes, I'm just now getting a chance to blog about it.

I decided months beforehand that I wanted to spend the day in NYC since I hadn't been in 4.5 long years.

Now there's many ways to get to NYC from DC, all of them pretty quick and efficient. Everyone always talks about taking the train but honestly, unless you get really, really lucky...it costs more than a plane ride. It's ridiculous! Does anyone know a trick I don't? I hear waiting until the last minute and buying a ticket same day is the cheapest way, but man! So, this time I decided to try one of those DC to NY buses there are so many of. You know, the ones who always wreck and toss people all over the freeway. Yeah. I'm gutsy. Anyway, my friend Caroline and I got up at 3:30am, got ready, and drove to Union Station to catch the 5:15am MegaBus. Wowzers. It was an interesting experience, but nothing like the return. We survived and were promptly dropped off at the corner of "Where the heck are we" & "I thought I knew this place." Thank goodness for crazy apps and smartphones with GPS.

Our first stop...birthday breakfast at Ellen's Stardust Diner in Times Square.

The place was PACKED! You see the waitress singing over to the left.

I had this AMAZING stuffed french toast, Elvis style with bananas, marshmallow fluff, and nutella.

Love it.

From there, we bopped over to the box office to snag our tickets for the matinee of Moulin Rouge. Awesome play, but I enjoyed the movie much more. Still good to see the show. After snagging our tickets for later that night, we took a stroll through Central Park. Last time I had been to NYC, it was a winter wonderland covered in gorgeous snow. Today, it was bustling with people enjoying the gorgeous weather.

Later that night, to top it all off, we went to Little Italy.

Bellissimo!

LOVE that place.

We ate at my favorite Italian spot there that has the most TO DIE FOR pasta that melts in your mouth. Literally. It's amazing.

Sangria!

Mmm. The special for the day was three types of homemade pasta.

Ravioli with Bolognese, gnocchi with pesto sauce, & fettuccine alfredo.

Little Italy at night.

Can't leave Little Italy without having a cannoli!

We stopped at the Cannoli King before running back to catch our bus back home.

It was an interesting ride home and I'll never catch a bus stopping in Baltimore ever again, but it was a great way to spend my 28th birthday. I'm totally going back ASAP since it's such a close drive.

Do you guys have any favorite spots to stop in NYC?

Baby Shower Love

I am SO excited to head to Charlotte this weekend for Kate's baby shower.

This has been a long time coming (at least for me!) and I'm so excited to share in the special time with her.

I'm equally excited to be reunited with my gal pals and get some down time with our doggies and some planned mani/pedis too. Yay for weekend road trips!

Anyway, here's the lowdown on what I'd wear to Baby T's shower if I had an open bankroll.

Baby Shower Outfit by shanstinson featuring leather sandals

Msgm
tessabit.com

Le Silla leather sandals
stylebop.com

Kate Spade stud earrings
lordandtaylor.com

Michael kors jewelry
couture.zappos.com

Deborah lippmann
nordstrom.com

A|Wear Blue Sheer Overlay Cami
$42 - awear.com

St. Patrick's Day Madness

One of my favorite places to go is an Irish Pub with a little Oorah flair in Old Town Alexandria.

LOVE the place.

It's my go to bar for a fun night with a few beers, live music, and a chill atmosphere.

ALWAYS have a good time there and St. Patrick's Day this year was no exception.

My girl Lauren came into town from PA to work a promo so we decided to go green and hit Murp's for some good old fashioned Irish fun. Now, I don't know about you...but the one thing I cannot stand is walking in the door, grabbing a drink, and not even getting to take your first sip before some creeper guy is all up in your space. REALLY!?!? It's even harder when you have friends who are super nice and don't know how to say no. None the less, the other big group of friends came to the rescue and we officially started our night of mayhem.

Always a meat market at Murph's...

In the St. Pat's Day spirit!

Funny enough, my roomie and I met some of the coolest people at Murph's a couple years ago. A married couple who we're still good friends with to this day and we arranged a reunion that night. LOVE!

Despite a total drunky almost dropping my new phone and walking out of the bar to a $40 parking ticket, it was an amazing night out that's a rarity in my crazy, busy life.

Friday Fancies: Cherry Blossom Cheer

It's Friday Fancies time!

I am super excited that it's Cherry Blossom Festival time and the trees are supposed to *FINALLY* bloom this weekend. I've never lived in DC during the spring so I've never had the chance to experience the blossoms along the tidal basin. I'm counting down the minutes.

My inspiration this week was obviously based on the blossoms and would be a super cute ensemble to wear for Church, brunch, and a walk along the basin.

Dress: Valentino $2,865

Pumps: Sergio Rossi $715

Bag: Yves Saint Laurent $2,350

Earrings: Kate Spade $38

Happy Friday!