{32} Lately…

20weeks

Lately I’ve been…

reading  Aaaaaand I’m still reading The Goldfinch.  Haha might possibly be the longest it’s ever taken me to get through a book that I didn’t absolutely hate. LOL. I also just finished Eat That Frog, which is an excellent book about time management and making the best use out of your time. Picked up lots of great business tips in there.  

writing  I recently had the privilege to interview Shannon Fitzpatrick for Autism Awareness month about her son Chase and how Autism has impacted her family. Thank you Shannon for opening up about your experience, and hopefully this can help and inspire those going through something similar.

listening  To Nico say “I love you too” this morning, just about MADE.MY.DAY. Love that kid.

thinking  About some ideas for an upcoming post on the best exercises to do while pregnant.

smelling  The deliciousness cooking at my local cafe and Monday “office” Cafe Madeline.

watching  Revenge on Netflix. I had been wanting to watch this show for awhile, but didn’t want to jump in without seeing the first few seasons. So I decided to catch up via Netflix. It’s dark, but captivating!

wishing  A Happy Birthday to my (pretty much) brother-in-law, Adam!  Hope it’s amazing and wonderful just like you!

hoping  That Nico has a fun time at his first dance/movement class today! Wish I could be there with him, but Mama’s gotta get some work done.

wearing  Floral Pants from Motherhood Maternity – Tank from GAP – Blouse from Express – Polka Dot Flats from GAP Outlet

loving  The sunshine! It’s been very nice out the past couple days, and I am relishing in it! Even broke out my floral spring pants this morning as you can see from above.

wanting  A prenatal massage and a big huge pregnancy pillow (that I never had with my first baby). Mother’s Day? (wink wink)

needing  To go shopping for some new clothes this spring. Yes, I know I have the perfect maternity clothes already in my closet from my last pregnancy, because the babe will be born at the same time of year as Nico…but can you blame me for wanting something new?

feeling  Pretty good! Aside from a little back pain (which PiYo totally helps with by the way!), I am feeling pretty good during this second trimester. How I wish the whole pregnancy could be like the second trimester!  Haha.

craving  Ditching alllllll my cravings for processed sugar this week as I am hosting a 7-Day (No) Sugar & Squats Challenge!  Today is the first day (50 squats down baby!), so feel free to shoot me an e-mail if you want in!

clicking  Through apartment listings. Trying to figure out if it makes sense to move before we have our little one. We could technically squeeze in our current place, but it will be TIGHT. The problem is that finding anything bigger is going to be a huge increase in expense (my guess), and we have such an amazing deal now that it’s hard to leave. We shall see what the future brings!

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HAPPY MONDAY!

What have you been up to lately?

XO,

Gina

***I was inspired by Tina of Like Ordinary Life to create this post, and she was inspired by Lauren of siddathornton, who started The Sunday Currently.

Flower Child

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 Flowing Floral Pants: Forever 21 / Top: Target / Jean Jacket: American Eagle – similar / Flower Crown Headband: Urban Outfitters – similar / Shoes: Nine West – similar / Earrings: Baublebar – similar / Medallion: old / Sunglasses: Vintage / Bag: Rebecca Minkoff – also like it in silver / Chevron Rings: Baublebar (sold out, but like these sets as well) / Bracelet: cara New York – similar / Watch: Michael Kors / Lip: MAC Snob

I’m not usually one for a wide leg pant, but I could not resist this vibrant floral pair from Forever 21.  If you are looking for a pair of pants as comfortable as pajamas but acceptable to wear outside of the house, then these are definitely the pants for you!  I wore these last weekend on a long walk to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, and they were both flowy and light.  I was clearly excited that spring had arrived as you can see from the multitude of florals in my attire.  We had a great time exploring and seeing the new buds coming up showing the first signs of the season.  I am definitely planning on going back here again toward the end of the month when things are in full bloom.  I took a few more photos of our trip to the botanical gardens, so stay tuned next week!

Happy Friday!

XO,

Gina

Happy 1st Birthday to Popcorn and Pandas

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Would you believe that today marks one whole year that I decided to make the change to my little ole blog, popcorn and pandas?  I know, I can’t believe it either.  It’s been a crazy year full of adventures and travel, fashion and fun, pregnancy and now a new baby.  It’s been wonderful and therapeutic to have this creative outlet to share with you all, and I am completely grateful that you all have chosen to follow along for this past year.

Below I have reflected a bit on some of your favorite posts this past year:

My first two outfit posts with the amazing photographer Marisa

Reminiscing a Rockin’ Summer

Reminiscing Rockin Summer

Summer Stripes

Summer Stripes

Lettered sweaters were my jam

Amaze

Sported my favorite Halloween costume

Hunger Games

Rang in the New Year in Winter White

Winter White

Foxes became super trendy

Foxy Lady

I had some ups and downs, announced my pregnancy, and did a cool photo shoot with Justin to find out the sex of our Little Monkey

It's A BOY

I added some Flair to my wardrobe

Flair Promenade

Craved everything peplum

Navy Peplum and Black

Felt a little Guilty

Guilty Spring

I ate my first mangosteen

Mangosteen

Went to Arizona and saw the Grand Canyon

Desert Florals

Grand Canyon

I made some waves with Waveborn

Waveborn

Made fresh homemade tomato sauce and pesto from the garden

Tomato Sauce

Pesto

Enjoyed the sunrise on Branch Lake in Maine

Branch Lake Sunrise

Watched as my belly grew larger and larger

Neon

Retro Rainbow

Electric

Beachy Keen

And gave birth to a beautiful baby boy

Nico

It’s been such a great year, and I am hopeful that this year will bring even greater joy.  Thank you so much for following my adventures.  Would love to hear any feedback that you have of things you want to see from me in the coming year.  What you like/don’t like.  What you want to see more or less of (outfit posts, lately posts, shopping posts, personal stories, photography, baby stuff, etc…)  I have less free time on my hands, but hopefully I can make things happen!

Happy Friday everyone!!!

XO,

Gina

{12} Lately…

lately

Lately I’ve been…

reading  Finished reading Fly Away by Kristin Hannah.  If you’ve read the prequel Firefly Lane, you will definitely enjoy this book.  I always enjoy a good Kristin Hannah book.  I am now reading Khaled Hosseini’s newest novel, And the Mountains Echoed.  I was a huge fan of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, so naturally I had to read this book.  So far there are a LOT of character introductions, and I’m hoping that somehow they will all end up stringing together and making sense eventually.  So far it’s interesting…I think I’m just waiting for the connection and the point of the whole story.  I’m confident that it will come, but will let you know how I end up liking it.

writing  E-mails catching up with friends.

listening  Really liking Lana del Ray’s Summertime Sadness.  The original is beautiful, but I love the Cedric Gervais remix of course.  I don’t really have summertime sadness myself…quite the opposite actually, but for some reason, I just dig this song.

thinking  That they must have been working on the apartment above my office for about the past 5 years.  Seriously…will they ever be done???

smelling  And also tasting, this delicious Aloha Banana smoothie I’m consuming.  Fruit-a-holic.

watching  Saw an episode of the Kardashians (yes, I’m guilty) last night where Kim is in severe pain during her pregnancy.  I think this all goes to show pregnancy never happens the way you plan, and you have to be prepared for all kinds of challenges.  I have had my fair share, but very thankful to be feeling good right now!

wishing  That I could see into my belly to see what my little man looks like.  Weird?  Maybe, but I think it’s weirder to feel and see kicks and movements inside me all day without actually being able to see who’s in there doing it!

hoping  For my Uncle to come home from the hospital soon.  His surgery went very well, and we are so grateful.  Hoping that he will have a good recovery.  He is a tough cookie!

wearing  Floral pants from Motherhood (super sale right now!), Mint Poly button down from Express, Sparkly Flats from Nordstrom Rack, Sunnies from Francesca’s, Michael Kors watch, and my Henri Bendel Bracelet.

loving  The fact that we are having a family reunion this Saturday with my Dad’s side for the first time in probably at least 15 years.  So excited to see all of my cousins and extended family.  It’s been way too long!

laughing  At the fact that I got pooped on by a bird yesterday…yes I can only laugh because it did not get on my head or my clothing, and it was easy to clean off.  Thank goodness, because I had a meeting 15 minutes later…

wanting  Coffee.  Been getting a bit more sleepy again as I am now in the third trimester of my pregnancy.  And the smell of it, just makes me want it more!  Been trying to stay away from coffee though most of the time (except for my weekend treats).  Hence, the vitamin packed smoothies to wake me up!

needing  A back massage.  Thinking of making an appointment to get a prenatal massage soon to ease the aches and pains of the third tri.

feeling  Hormonal.  One minute, I’m super happy.  The next minute, I’m crying.  And I am not usually a crier.  I feel like my mood can change with the flick of a light switch lately.

craving  Ice cream.  But that’s really nothing new…I heart ice cream.  Especially in the summertime.

clicking  Catching up on all my favorite blogs and discovering some new ones as well.

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What have you been up to lately?

Happy Hump Day!

Love,

Gina

***I was inspired by Tina of Like Ordinary Life to create this post, and she was inspired by Lauren of siddathornton, who started The Sunday Currently.

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Desert Florals

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Here are some images from our second day enjoying Sedona, Arizona.  Oh, how I love those red rocks!  The views were absolutely stunning, and it’s tough to really capture it in a photo alone.  I hadn’t been feeling that great in the middle of our trip, but this day, I was feeling much better and able to explore.  We drove around making stops at different locations for photos, and then walked a little on the West Fork at Oak Creek trail which was a lot of fun.  I really hope to go back to Sedona when I’m back to my athletic self and can really take it all in!

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Floral Pants: Motherhood – similar here, here, and here (in non-maternity) / Chambray Top: GAP – similar (runs big FYI!) / Tank: American Eagle / Shoes: Nordstrom Rack / Shades: c/o Waveborn / Earrings: Baublebar – similar / Ring: Banana Republic / Necklace: Family Heirloom / Watch: Michael Kors / Beaded Skull Bracelets: c/o Guilty Jean / Spike Bracelet: ASOS / Bow Bracelet: Baublebar / Lip: MAC Impassioned

Tonight I’m headed out with the girls for a little mani/pedi action.  I usually do my own nails, but the belly is starting to get in the way making it impossible to paint my toes these days.  Oh darn, I guess I have to pamper myself!  Looking forward to hanging with the ladies.

Tomorrow I am participating in the Wall Street Heart Walk with my Alpha Phi sorority Alums in NYC.  Did you know that heart disease is the leading killer in America?  There’s one more day to donate, so if you are able to contribute, I would really appreciate it!

Hope you all have a great day!

XO,

Gina

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