Revival

I love me a high end department store. Rarely will I make a purchase at one, but they do serve as a source of inspiration for me.

Don't even get me started if one of these stores has a home department. Here, in Kansas City, we have Halls (don't expect much from the website, people).

The home department here is incredible. even my own mother who flies in from Chicago thinks it's pretty amazing.

We decided to peruse the department this weekend, and it did not disappoint. I found this amazing table that displayed the most gorgeous pieces I have seen in a long time. I had to know more about this collection. Maria, who is one of the nicest, and most knowledgable employees there began telling me the story of the artisit as I drooled, and added up the cost of the 3 pieces I was going bananas over (it totaled over $2000).

His name is Waylande Gregory, and was born IN Kansas of all places in 1905. Maria informed me that the pieces I was swooning over were replicas ones he began creating in the 1920's.

During his career, he was considered the best paid sculptor, and was in 172 major national museums, and had exhibits in over 11 countries. As soon as I got in the car, I couldn't google Mr. Gregory fast enough.

There's a lot to be said about this artist, but the condensed version is that his great great nephew, Bryan Downeys, a fashion entrepeneur is the one responsible for the "awakening" of this brilliant artist.

Here are some of the pieces I would LOVE to be the proud owner of:

I think it's a good time to start a collection of breakable art when I will have 2 kids running around, don't you agree?

Double the hormones.

It's such a blessing to have this gal in my life. She is one of those rare birds-the kind that you can be yourself around. The kind that really listens when you need her to, is there for you no matter what, whose heart is bigger than you can imagine, the kind that makes you laugh from your gut. Her and her amazing husband are our dearest friends, and we love love love them to pieces. My son is quite smitten with her as well. It's no surprise that being pregnant at the same time is something so exciting and special for us. AND we are both having girls! So fun! My husband and I wanted to give them a shower, and show them just how much they are loved. Jared and I had such a great time planning this, and are so happy with how it all turned out.

We are soooo excited for their baby girl to arrive, and to be able to watch her grow and discover how amazing her parents are. What a blessed little girl she already is.

amber on the left. me on the right. people say we look like sisters. i have to agree.
invitation-made by my insanely talented husband.
handmade fabric flowers made by my insanely talented mother for my baby shower. she made hundreds of them, and i love how i was able to display them on amber's special day.
the daddy to be getting a little hands on experience.
my little dude thinking santa came for him.
see? my gold 6 ft. tall bird cage DOES serve a purpose.
toasted coconut short breads for the favors.
decor done by by insanely talented husband.

double chocolate sea salt brownies. a pregnant woman's crack.
raspberry filled short breads.
rosemary strawberry scones. yes, the talented husband was involved here too.
coconut cupcakes. toppers made by you know who.

There's something in the water.

I am not the only preggers gal in town. I have 7 friends who are pregnant right now, and 4 of my friends have had babies in the last month and a half. CRAZY!

My dear, dear friend Melanie just threw the most adorable sprinkle for me this past weekend.

She is such a talented, creative person, and did such an amazing job! Here are a few photos, but you have to check out the rest at her blog:

I am so grateful for her, and her friendship.

Now, it's my turn to throw a party! My sweet friend Amber who is more like a sister to me, is pregnant,and I am so so so excited! I am throwing a shower for her this weekend, and am really trying hard not to get carried away! I am staying on a budget, and not trying to over-do things like usual. While doing some research on the web, I came across some really great baby shower photos for inspiration:

I'm not really doing a "theme", but trying to incorporate her invitation colors which are chartreuse, grey, white and black.

Photos to come!

"I have nothing to wear"

I don't know HOW many times I have uttered those words, when, to be honest, I had plenty to wear.

When pregnant with my son, I was able to wear cute dresses, be indoors, and not have to deal with disgusting summer humidity. This time around has been a completely different story.

Chasing after a toddler does not allow you to wear a dress. The one day that I took a chance and did, was the day I had to rescue my child from the slides at the park. It was windy and I had to climb to the top of the jungle gym- it was NOT a cute Marilyn Monroe moment, I assure you.

I have been rotating the same flowy tanks and leggings for months, and I am ready to light them all on fire.

This chick, Miroslava Duma, makes me want to scream!! How fricking cute is she with her bun in the oven? Yes, she works in the fashion industry, and actually has places to go that justify being dressed this way. I can only imagine how hysterical it would be if I tried to replicate one of her outfits, and took my boy to story time. In Kansas City.

In the meantime, I will just keep rotating what I have, and dream of cool weather and anything without an elastic waistband.

All of it.

I am totally in love with everything about this look.

Her gorgeous Michelle Pfeiffer circa Scarface haircut, fabulous lipcolor, and the 70s vibe dress and necklace.

Stunning.

I'll have what she's having.

I remember the days of going to a bookstore and flipping through magazines for hours.

Now, I chase my "mall walker" of a son all over, and check out the magazine covers while zipping past.

One that really caught my eye yesterday was Kyra Sedgwick on the cover of More. She looks ah-mazing. I know Demi Moore has been crowned the queen of looking good in your 40's, and she does look great-but I think Kyra deserves to share that throne.

Trials.

Most of you know, that aside from a few posts regarding my husband and my son, that this blog is mainly about "frivolous" things.

Don't get me wrong, fashion, cooking, and home decor are fun, creative outlets that, if not obsessing over them, are harmless.

I find that there are times when it is difficult for me to keep things in perspective. Why do I sometimes spend more time scouring the Internet for vintage chandeliers than I do in my bible?

Why do I ponder what I am going to wear to dinner on Friday more than I do asking God what I am supposed to be doing for Him?

Yes, these deep thoughts are stemming from somewhere.

Twice in the last week I have read gut wrenching stories via the blog world.

First, Megan's story, which had me sobbing for hours.

Next, Marija's story, that hit me at my core.

My heart aches for these families, and I hope that as time goes by, I will still remember to pray for them often.

I can say that daily, I am filled with gratitude for what God has done in my life.

However, I want to be better at being grateful.

Some things that I am so grateful for:

Jesus

Family

My amazing friends

Power (after 30 plus hours of not having it this week, I am beyond grateful)

The Lord's provision

Freedom

Don't worry. I'll be back to my regular posts about Birkin's, Nicole Richie, and my love affair with Smitten Kitchen--but sometimes it's good to get a bit serious every now and then.

There's a party in my tummy.

Donna Hay never lets me down.

One of my all time favorite cookbooks is from her called "The Instant Cook".

What I lurve about this book, is that just about every recipe has a photo, and she gives you different versions of certain dishes.

Her tiramisu is off the charts-and SO easy:

1 3/4 c cream

1 lb mascarpone (insert giada's annoying accent)

1 c coffee liquer (this preggers girl is living on the edge)

2c espresso

26 lady fingers (NOT an easy thing to find in the KC)

cocoa powder for dusting

Do It:

Beat heavy cream in bowl with mixer until soft peaks form. (**I added a couple tbsp powdered sugar-needed a little sweetness**).

Fold in mascarpone. Set aside.

Combine liquer and coffww.

Quickly dip both sides of half the biscuits in the coffee mixture & use them to layer the base of a 4 pint serving dish.

Spoon half of the cream mixture over the layer of biscuits.

Repeat with remaining biscuits and cream.

Dust with cocoa powder.

Refrigerate at least one hour.

I also made this version:

replace the coffee and liquer with 1 cup dessert wine (I used Muscato).

Layer 20 oz defrosted frozen raspberries over biscuit and cream mixture.

Yum-o.

August Fest.

There is so much going on in August.

Squeezing in as many afternoons at the pool as possible.

FIVE of my closest friend's birthdays.

My parent's anniversary.

My in-law's anniversary.

Oh, and I'm having a baby.

And....drumroll.......she's back.

August 3rd.

I heart her big time..