Rainy Days Can’t Get Me Down

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These photos are from Memorial Day Weekend before our ride down to Philly.  There’s nothing like bright colors to shake you out of your rainy day gloom.  Luckily, the weather got nicer later in the day, and we were able to enjoy an awesome cookout with friends.

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Seersucker Blazer: GAP – similar / Sweater: Old Navy (on sale!) / Tank (underneath): Old Navy (on sale!) / Jeans: Motherhood / Boots: Steve Madden / Necklace: Cheerfully Charmed – similar / Umbrella: borrowed – similar / Bracelets: c/o Guilty Jean, ASOS, and Henri Bendel / Watch: Michael Kors

This past weekend, I was on my own as the hubby went on a biking/camping excursion.  I spent the weekend doing a little housework, celebrating my neighbor’s 1st birthday, had dinner with a close friend, went to a 90’s themed birthday celebration, and lounged at a soccer team BBQ.  Last night when the hubby got home, we chilled outside enjoying our amazing garden on what was a gorgeous night, and just caught each other up with our weekend stories.  I have to say, I’m super happy it’s summertime!

Hope you all have a great week!

XO,

Gina

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{11} Lately…

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Lately I’ve been…

reading  Finished reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed, about a woman who finds herself while hiking the Pacific Coast Trail.  Sort of an Eat, Pray, Love in the wilderness if you will.  I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys the outdoors.  I am now starting Bossypants by Tina Fey, and hoping for a laugh.

writing  Other than blog posts, I haven’t been writing much of anything else lately…

listening  Violin and Dubstep?  Who knew this combo could work.  Check out Lindsey Stirling’s Crystallize.  She’s mad talented.

thinking  That I am extremely grateful to my husband and neighbor for installing our A/C window units this week.  It’s 90 degrees here today!

smelling  Yankee Candle’s Summer Scoop.  A candle that smells like my favorite dessert?  Yes please!

watching  Well, I got dragged into a “Bachelorette Draft” this past weekend.  Yes, it’s like fantasy football, but with Des and a bunch of hot guys.  I really had no interest in this show whatsoever, but after investing time into making draft picks for a friend that couldn’t make the event…I am now finding myself wanting to know how this whole thing is going to pan out.  Go Juan Pablo!

wishing  Everyone a Happy Last Day of May!  Can’t believe it’s going to be June tomorrow.

hoping  For a fun-filled weekend with friends in the Big Apple.

wearing  A dress that I found at Nordstrom Rack a couple years ago along with red, strappy Sam Edelman sandals.

loving  This strawberry, banana, pineapple smoothie I’m consuming right now.

laughing  At what happened when Vine tried to make a commercial for Vine.  See over at FunnyorDie.com

wanting  To meet my new little cousin, Noelle Raelyn, who was born yesterday!  Congrats to her Mama and Papa, my cousins Brittany and R.J.

needing  To figure out what to wear to a costume party on Saturday…Disney princess or pregnant Britney Spears?  Hmmm…

feeling  My little one kicking up a storm in there all day long.  It’s such a crazy and awesome feeling!

craving  I had been craving a pedicure (since I can no longer reach my toes well enough to paint my own), and luckily this was fulfilled on Wednesday.  I went with the new Essie 2013 Neon Collection’s DJ Play That Song.  I can now proceed with open-toed shoes again.

clicking  Researching pediatricians and birthing classes for the little one.

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What have you been up to lately?

Happy Friday!

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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Big Floppy Hat

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In honor of Kentucky Derby weekend, I packed my big floppy hat and took it with me to Arizona.  I purchased it earlier this spring, and was obviously excited to wear it.  My belly is definitely starting to pop, and I wore this comfy outfit in Phoenix to meet my cousins for dinner.  Would love to see the different ways you wore your big floppy hats that weekend!  Tweet your pics my way to @popcornpandas!  Of course, Preakness hats are more than welcome too. 🙂

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Big Floppy Hat: Francesca’s – similar here and here / Top: Motherhood / Skirt: Motherhood – similar in gray / Sandals: Sam Edelman via Nordstrom Rack / Bag: Coach (old) / Snakeskin Bracelet: Henri Bendel – sold out – shop bangles / Bow Bracelet: Baublebar / Red and Gold Chain Bracelet: Gorjana – sold out – shop bracelets / Watch: Michael Kors / Necklace: Family Heirloom / Sunglasses: LOFT / Toes: Essie Peach Daiquiri / Lip: Lancome Red Haute

Dreary Monday here in NYC.  We had a great weekend seeing family and friends that were in town visiting, and I worked on creating a baby registry for my little guy.  Wow, and I thought a wedding registry was overwhelming!  Boy, was I wrong! It pretty much took me all weekend, but it’s finally complete.  Can’t believe I will be 24 weeks tomorrow!  Time is flying right by.

Hope you all have a great week!  Memorial Day Weekend is on the horizon.

XO,

Gina

Wild Wild West

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I borrowed this romper from a friend of mine recently, and I could not wait for some warm weather to wear it.  The Arizona desert seemed like the perfect opportunity.  I love the tribal embroidery detail in the top half of this piece, and because I was in the west, I just had to top off this look with some fringe booties.  This outfit was super comfortable, flowy, and free…and I’m hoping to get a few more wears out of this bad boy before my bump grows too large!

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Romper: Borrowed from a friend – similar here, here, and here / Fringe Ankle Booties: Target / Bracelet: (Old) Street Vendor  / Necklace: c/o Guilty Jean / Chevron Stack Ring: Baublebar / Watch: Betsey Johnson / Earrings: ALDO / Shades: NYC Soho Street Vendor / Lip: Lancome Fearless

It’s FRIDAY!  Hubby is home from ATL, and we are heading out on a little date night tonight for a belated 2 year anniversary celebration.  I’m currently in the dark on the surprise, so I’m excited to find out what’s in store!  We also have some visitors in town this weekend, so looking forward to seeing and catching up with some friends and family.

Hope you all have a GREAT weekend!

XO,

Gina

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Dotted in the Desert

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The weather was beautiful in Southern Arizona, and I was so happy to be rockin’ a sleeveless dress with no jacket!  I wore this little handkerchief hem dress to the Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson, and I even got a little suntan!  This flowy little number was perfect for my prego belly and very comfortable in cotton.  And I must mention that this dress is not a maternity dress!  I have found that by buying dresses san zippers and in comfy material, I can find items that are much more fashion forward than the typical things I have been finding in the maternity sections (although there have been some good exceptions!)

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Dress: Target / Sunnies: LOFT / Sandals: Sam Edelman via Nordstrom Rack / Watch: Michael Kors / Skull Bracelets: c/o Guilty Jean / Spike Bracelet: ASOS / Bow Bracelet: Baublebar / Toe Polish: Essie Avenue Maintain

Today is overcast, a little rainy, and a little chilly here in New York, making me miss that Arizona sun!  This week I’ve been trying to play catch up at work, at the doctor’s, with my DVR, and on life in general.  Hubby had to skip town for a quick business trip to Atlanta, so we are going to celebrate our two year anniversary (bc Arizona just wasn’t enough) with a date night when he returns on Friday.

Happy Wednesday!

XO,

Gina

Find the Sun {Waveborn}

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My Waveborn sunnies arrived in the mail, and I was super excited to rock them this past weekend!  For each pair of Italian designed and handcrafted shades you purchase, Waveborn provides a new pair of prescription eyeglasses or funds a portion of vision-restoring cataract surgery for a person in need through their partners Unite for Sight and SEE International.

They are currently hosting a crowdfunding campaign so they can continue to bring you more styles and colors for 2013.  They raised over $10,000 on the first day of their campaign, and the numbers are still increasing.  There is still plenty of time to join the campaign, so check it out!

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Sunglasses: c/o Waveborn / Maxi Dress: Target / Jean Jacket: American Eagle / Flip Flops: J. Crew – similar / Bag: Longchamp – this color sold out, but more colors here / Travel Bag: Urban Outfitters (old) / Earrings: ? (old) / Necklace: Family Heirloom /  Chevron Stack Rings: Baublebar / Snake Bangle: Henri Bendel – sold out, but shop bangles here / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Guilty Jean, ASOS, Baublebar (similar) / Nails: Essie Mint Candy Apple w/ Madison Avenue Hue accent nail / Toes: Essie Avenue Maintain / Lip: MAC Impassioned

I was very excited to find this colorful maxi dress for such a bargain price at Target this past week!  Typically, with my 5’0 stature, it’s very difficult for me to find a maxi dress that isn’t too long.  I suppose since this dress was in the “juniors” section, maybe it was a bit shorter.  Or could it be because I’m now sporting a little baby bump?  Either way, I plan on rocking maxi dresses all summer long.  Frankly, I have found the majority of maternity clothes I have come across to be old-looking, frumpy, and just plain ugly.  Of course, there have been some good finds here and there, but I am beginning to think gorgeous maxis from the regular sections (sans ones with zippers) may be the way to go this spring/summer!

Happy Hump Day!

XO,

Gina

{10} Lately…

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Lately I’ve been…

reading  May issues of Health Magazine and Marie Claire.  Got some yummy new recipes and a desire to return to Italy!

writing  Thank you notes for all of the kindness my family and friends have shown toward Little Monkey so far!  He is a lucky little boy!

listening  To the news.  I admit, I am not the best when it comes to keeping up with the news.  I usually get my updates from Facebook and Twitter (I know, that’s horrible, but true).  But events from the past week have kept me tuned in.

thinking  That I cannot believe I am halfway through my pregnancy!  20 weeks in, and 20 weeks left until I get to meet my Baby Boy!

smelling  Not much of anything.  I have been sick and stuffed up all week.

watching  The always entertaining Real Housewives of Orange County.  Never a dull dinner party.

wishing  For safe travels as we head down to Maryland this weekend.

hoping  That I can pack my bags in less than 2 hours.  For me this would be an accomplishment.

wearing   Today is a lazy day.  I blame it on being sick all week.  I’m literally in yoga pants, New Balance tennis shoes, layered tank, tshirt, and sweater.  On days like today, I’m so very lucky my office is low key.

loving   The fact that 215 people have signed up for the John Petrovick Memorial 5K this weekend!  I am so thankful to my friends who have put this event together.  This is a great turnout for the very first event, and John would be so happy and proud.  So excited to see you all in Baltimore!

laughing  At myself trying on bathing suits with my prego belly last night in preparation for our trip to warm-weather Arizona.  No really…it was quite comical.

wanting  To be outside playing in this sunshine today.  It’s gorgeous in NYC!

needing  To flush this sickness throughly out of my system as soon as possible.

feeling  Super excited for our trip to Arizona at the beginning of May.  Hanging out with my pen pal in her hometown for the first time, seeing family and friends, the Grand Canyon, Sedona, warm weather, Mexican food, our two year wedding anniversary, and our “baby moon” trip…so many reasons for this excitement!

craving  Everything and anything neon.  As seen on Monday’s post.

clicking  I took a million photos during our Boston trip last weekend of the wedding and the rest of our adventures.  Once again, I’m blaming my sickness for my delay in posting these, but I promise they should be up sometime next week!

*Sidenote:  I just got my Waveborn shades in the mail today, and I cannot wait to rock them oh so soon!

What have you been up to lately?

Happy Friday!

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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Walk on the High Line

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Here’s Part II of our little girl’s weekend in NYC.  Sunday, we got bagels at the best place in the city.  And yes, you can quote me on that.  We then ventured into Manhattan to do a little shopping and take a walk on the High Line.  For those of you who have never been, this park was built on top of an old abandoned elevated train track and runs down Manhattan’s West Side.  It’s so unique, and provides wonderful views of the city.  It was a gorgeous day, and I think the girls enjoyed it!

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Two of my favorite Baltimore blondes 🙂

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Outfit photos by: Nichole Cohen & Lisa Dannenberg / All other photos my own / Thanks to random stranger for the photo of the three of us

Coral Trench: GAP – sold out – similar here, herehere, and here / Mint Button Down: Express / Skinny Jeans: Motherhood Maternity / Ankle Boots: Target / Scarf: Gift / Sunnies: Vintage / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: ASOS and Gorjana – 2nd one sold out, but see more bracelets by Gorjana here / Lip: Lancome Groupie

Today brings a doc appointment and my 2nd to last photography class.  Hoping for a good report on the first and to learn as much as I can during the latter.

Crazy enough, we have a trip to Boston coming up on Friday for a dear friend’s wedding.  It still breaks my heart that people could purposefully cause harm to so many innocent others.  I am still praying for all of those in Boston that were affected by this horrible madness.   I am looking forward to the wedding and hoping it will bring some happiness and light to the Boston area.  In the midst of this tragedy, it’s nice to know there is still some love out there.

Happy Wednesday everyone.

XO,

Gina

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Skulls Meet Spring

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It was a beautiful weekend, and I had the pleasure of hosting two of my favorite Baltimore blondes at our place on Saturday.  We spent the day galavanting around Brooklyn and Manhattan…brunch at The Farm, followed by a day of shopping in Soho, & gelato and hot chocolate in Little Italy.  Much to our surprise, we came home with our wallets full and bag-less.  If you know us, you know this is not normal.  However, it was probably for the best.  We had planned to go out on the town that night, but we ended up passing out early from all the walking around we did.

The flowers in these photos make me happy, because it’s actually starting to feel and look like Spring around here!  We also thought it was a nice bright contrast to my dark and stormy outfit.

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Photos by: Nichole Cohen

Skull Tank: Hot Topic (now on sale!) / Leather Jacket: Wilsons Leather (old) – similar / Black Skinnies: Motherhood Maternity / Combat Boots: Steve Madden ( now on sale!) / Bag: Rebecca Minkoff – sold out, but a variety of other colors available at Saks / Headband: (old) – similar / Watch: Betsey Johnson – sold out, but check out Betsey’s other watches on her website / Bracelets: ASOS, Wanderlust + Co., c/o Flair Accessories / Necklace: c/o Guilty Jean / Ring: Forever 21 / Lip: Nars Born This Way gloss

Last night, the hubby and I went to see one of our favorite indie rock singer-songwriters perform, Matt Costa.  Let me tell you, this man is talented.  He plays the piano, harmonica, three different guitars, and has a voice that will make you melt.  His laid back style is very inviting and his tunes range in variety from bluegrass, folk, rock, and more.  Some of my personal favorites include: Miss Magnolia, Sunshine, & Mr. Pitiful.  He also has a lot of good tracks on his new album.  Check out some of his videos here.

Tonight, I am treating myself to a little mani-pedi with the other NY Alpha Phi Alums, and I cannot wait.  It will be the first pedi of the season, and boy do I need it!

On a heavier note, I am glad that my friends and family in Boston are safe and sound.  I am praying for all those who were affected by this tragedy.  I will never understand it, and it saddens me.  Sending love to Boston today.

XO,

Gina