{15} Lately…

lately

Lately I’ve been…

reading  Just finished a couple books including Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan, and Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn.  Maine was an okay beach read, but I honestly didn’t care for the characters all that much.  They were a bit bitchy and whiny, and while they were all family, it was pretty tough for them to all get along.  It was a decent read, but not a must for me.  Sharp Objects on the other hand was a really good book.  If you liked Gone Girl, then you will like this book as well.  This mystery/thriller is an easy read that captures your attention, and makes you unable to put it down.

writing  Finished all of my thank you notes for the many wonderful gifts we received for our little guy!  I’m also writing up my to-do lists for how to train our new employee who is coming in next week and will be filling in while I’m on maternity leave.  Can’t believe it’s almost that time!

listening  Loving this summer jam, Reload by Sebastian Ingrosso, Tommy Trash, and John Martin.  Makes me wanna dance.

thinking  It’s been a beautiful week here in NYC, and that I am incredibly lucky the weather has been kind to me this August.

smelling  The new Bath and Body works lotion I got for my birthday, Rio Rumberry.

watching  A French, indie film called The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.  I read the book a few years ago, and have been wanting to watch the movie ever since.  It’s a true story about well-known man in the fashion industry who became a paraplegic and learned to communicate and write a novel with the blink of his eye.  Fascinating.

wishing  That the rocking chair/glider that just arrived for our nursery didn’t feel like it was taking over the entire room.  I swear it didn’t look that big in the photos!  I think I’m starting to get used to it, but when it first arrived, I was in a bit of shock!

hoping  For a fun, yet productive weekend ahead!  Planning on finally checking out the Hester Street Fair (for real this time), attending a Brooklyn Cyclones game with friends, and putting in some more work on the nursery.

wearing  An old blue/green maxi skirt from American Eagle that I’ve had in my closet for awhile now paired with a coral and white striped maternity tee from Motherhood.  Old Navy white flip flops for comfort, and my vintage sunnies.  

loving  These sexy, fall booties from ALDO.  Gah, I can’t wait to wear heels again!

laughing  We’ve been listening to all the comedy stations on XM Radio during our past few long car rides.  I’m usually the driver, but Zack has had to drive a bit this summer due to my pregnancy sleepiness.  We find that laughing while driving is a good way to stay awake.

wanting  To be with my family this week in the Outer Banks, NC on our annual vacation.  It’s the one time of the year when both sides of my family all get together, and it’s one of my favorite weeks of the year.  However, I know I’m staying put in NY for a very good reason!  Luckily, the weather has been so great here, and I have been keeping myself distracted with a busy work schedule and prepping for the baby to arrive.  I just flash forward to next year when we will have an almost-one-year-old running around with us at the beach!

needing  To get my hospital bag packed.  Next week I’ll be full term, and they say you could go at any time between 37-42 weeks.  I know that is a big, open time frame, but you also never know when the little one will want to make his debut!  Therefore, that is on the top of my list for weekend priorities.

feeling  Pretty good!  Sometimes it’s hard to get comfortable, and I have to pee at all times, but overall, I am feeling pretty good in these last few weeks of pregnancy.

craving  Sweets.  It’s probably not good, and I typically have a sweet tooth anyway…but I’m finding myself wanting something sweet almost every day now.  I guess I can milk these last few weeks while I can 😉

clicking  Through many animated commercials that our new clients have done.  Been trying to familiarize myself with their work as much as I can.

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What have you been up to lately?

Happy Friday!  Hope you all have a great weekend!

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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A Storybook Shower

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Last Saturday I was down in Maryland to celebrate a baby shower for my sister-in-law and future baby nephew!  It was adorably themed as a storybook shower, with many of the food options based on some of our favorite childhood books.  We each also brought a book in place of a card to shower the momma-to-be and start a library collection for her little guy.  I am so excited to meet my nephew, and looking forward to introducing our boys so soon!  Of course, I had to get our last bump-to-bump shot as well.  It’s crazy to think that the next time I see my sister-in-law, we will both be moms!

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Happy Bump Day 😉

It’s been a busy week here with long work hours, doctor’s appointments, a dinner date with a friend in town from Detroit, and more.  Hope you are all having a good one as well!

XO,

Gina

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Milk and Honey

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A bunch of new restaurants and coffee shops have popped up in our Brooklyn neighborhood of Ditmas Park lately, so we decided to check out this one last Saturday morning.  We met up with a fellow soon-to-be mom at Milk and Honey to discuss the possibility of a nanny share come January.  I love the decor of the space, and the breakfast food and drinks were very yummy.  I anticipate we will be returning in the future!

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Ikat Dress: Borrowed – similar / Tank: Old Navy / Sandals: Dolce Vita / Shades: Vintage / Necklace: Family Heirloom / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Henri Bendel and Baublebar / Nails: Essie Naughty Nautical / Lip: Lancome Fleur Impressioniste

These pics were taken during my 35th week, and today marks week 36.  Eeeek!!

It’s a rainy Tuesday here in the NYC, and I’m wishing I was down in the Outer Banks, NC with my fam at the beach on vacation.  But I certainly have enough to keep me busy here at work this week with two new clients, a potential new hire, and lots more.

Have a good one ya’ll!

XO,

Gina

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Maternity Photos By Misa*Me

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On the weekend we went back to Maryland for Teri’s bridal shower and Little Monkey’s baby shower, we were lucky enough to squeeze in this maternity photo session with the lovely Marisa Crider of Misa*Me Photography.  I was looking for a sun drenched romantic setting with tall grass for the backdrop of this shoot, and Marisa found the perfect location!  The sun more or less cooperated for some of the time, and we were able to get the beautiful field shots I wanted as well as some surprise shots on a nearby beach.  Marisa never fails to impress with her talents, and she truly captured our excitement for our arriving baby boy.  We cannot wait to meet him and share these photos with him one day.

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Outfit 1: On Me – Dress: Target Maternity / Necklace: Cheerfully Charmed (similar) / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelet: Baublebar / Lip: MAC Venomous Villains Heartless / Baby Shoes: Luvable Friends — On Zack – Button Down and Linen Pants: H&M

Outfit 2: On Me – Dress: Ella Moss via Gilt / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Henri Bendel and Baublebar / Earrings: Borrowed from Misa*Me / Lip: MAC Venomous Villains Heartless — On Zack – Shirt: H&M / Shorts: Target / Shoes: Sanuk – similar herehere, and here

Thank you so much to my amazing cousin, Marisa, for taking these photos for our little family.  We really appreciate it, and cannot wait for our little man to get here!

If you’d like to see more photos from the shoot, then please head on over to Misa*Me Photography to see the rest.

Hope you are all enjoying the week so far.

XO,

Gina

Skirt the Issue

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Got an ever-growing baby bump, and can’t really wear sweats and a t-shirt to the office?  No problem…skirt the issue!  Luckily, I can pretty much wear whatever I want to work on a daily basis.  However, when I have meetings or lunches with clients or advertising creatives, I do like to look presentable!  This particular day, we were having a birthday lunch at the Mandarin Hotel for my boss and I, who both have our birthdays around the same time.  The meal was delicious, and the view overlooking Central Park was even better.  I scored this outfit at Motherhood Maternity, and both top and skirt are quite comfortable, yet presentable for the workplace.

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Skirt: Motherhood Maternity / Top: Motherhood Maternity / Shoes: Sam Edelman via Nordstrom Rack (sold out) – also like these / Sunnies: ModCloth / Bag: Longchamp / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Henri Bendel, Baublebar, Gorjana / Nails: Essie Rock the Boat / Lip: Lancome Groupie

My husband and I had a BUSY weekend.  Unfortunately, we never made it to that Hester Street Fair (don’t worry girls, we will make it before August is through!).  However, we made LOADS of progress on our little boy’s nursery.  I completed all of my thank you cards, Zack installed the carseat and built the stroller.  We figured out how to use all the stroller seats and attachments.  We built the bassinet stand, swing, rock and play, and activity gym.  We cleaned out the entire living room (so we can now sit on the couch), and found a place for almost everything, set up his dressers and started decorating the room.  We decorated his name in wooden letters, adorned an entire wall in monkey and tree decals.  We built a crib…loaded up shelves…I think there is actually more we completed if you can believe it, but my brain is too tired to think straight anymore!  Not to mention my body.  All this while 8 months prego, and a husband running a fever.  I have to say, we were pretty proud of ourselves.

After all our hard work, we decided to treat ourselves to a little dinner out last night at a new restaurant in the neighborhood called Wheated.  They boast fresh Neapolitan pizza.  Let’s just say we will be returning!  This whole area on Church Avenue is actually booming with new businesses and restaurants, so we discovered a whole slew of places that we need to try in the near future.

It’s a gorgeous day in NYC.  If every day in August is like this for the rest of my pregnancy, I promise to never complain!  It’s amazing.  Hope you all had an awesome weekend, and wishing you a very wonderful week ahead!

XO,

Gina

Beach Bum

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The hubby and I spent my birthday weekend with a beautiful little day on the beach.  The weather was gorgeous, not too hot, with a lovely breeze, and the water was the perfect temperature for swimming.  It was such a relaxing day to get a little sun and some reading done.  Seeing as we went to Brighton, we decided to embark on some Russian cuisine at the casual Ocean View Cafe for dinner, which was very delicious and definitely recommended.  After our beach day, we showered up, and went to sing a little karaoke at Mr. Biggs in Hells Kitchen with friends.  It was a perfect day!

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Dress: Gifted – similar / Medallion: (old) – similar / Hat: P. Luca for Barami / Tote: Obaz / Flops: Old Navy / Shades: Street Vendor – similar / Nails: Essie Rock the Boat

The tribal tote pictured above was a b-day gift from my awesome hubby, and the fedora was a little something I picked up at a boutique near my office last week.

Besides celebrating my 29th birthday this weekend (we also had dinner at the amazing Vitae), we were also able to get some errands done, and start on “Project Nursery.”  While we still have a ton of work to do, it was nice to get started with a big dent of progress.  Today marks 34 weeks; time is inching close and closer until the day we will meet our little man.

Hope you all are having a great week so far.

XO,

Gina

Florida Style in Maine

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For some reason, this dress reminds me of something I would find in a Florida boutique.  Maybe it’s the soft colors, the silky feel, or the floral print.  I found it on sale at Francesca’s (non-maternity score again!), and had to have it for my summer trip to Maine.  I wore this on our last night out to dinner in Elsworth (at 30 weeks pregnant), added the belt, and some gold accessories to complete the look.  I am still reminiscing about the amazing view we had from our lake house.

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Dress: Francesca’s / Shoes: Dolce Vita (on sale!) / Belt: ? / Necklace: Family Heirloom / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelet: Henri Bendel / Earrings: gifted / Nails: Essie Forever Yummy / Toes: Essie In the Cabana / Lip: MAC Snob

It’s overcast and cooler today in NYC, and I have to say I’m actually grateful!  It’s been brutally hot for my prego body, and today’s cooler temperatures made my walk to the subway this morning a bit easier.  Today I hit the 33 week mark!  One month away from being full term.  Holy crap.  We were able to get rid of our guest bed last night, so we have some space to work with in trying to get the nursery together.  I also managed to schedule our pediatrician consults, so hoping to make a decision on that in the near future.

I’ve got a busy day at the office today with a few meetings and lots of resume reviewing.

Happy Tuesday!

XO,

Gina

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Grecian Gown

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I was able to snag this Ella Moss beauty on sale via Gilt, and I couldn’t be happier (again, not maternity)!  I wore this gown on a beautiful night out to dinner in Maine.  I love the ease and flow of this dress as I walk, and the jersey material makes it super comfortable as well.  In these photos, I am 30 weeks pregnant, and this week, I just hit 32.  Little Monkey will be here before I can blink.

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Gown: Ella Moss via Gilt / Bag: Rebecca Minkoff / Shoes: ALDO – similar / Earrings: ALDO / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: ASOS, Gorjana, c/o Guilty Jean, Henri Bendel / Toes: Essie In the Cabana / Nails: Essie Forever Yummy and Set in Stone

Oh, how I miss this little lake house already!  Wishing I had the lake to jump into and cool off this week; it’s been brutal!  Trying to stay hydrated and enjoy the AC indoors.

Stay cool ya’ll!

XO,

Gina

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Wedding Wear

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The last weekend of June, the hubby and I headed down to Maryland to see our good friends Kurt and Tiffany tie the knot on the Chesapeake Bay.  I struggled with whether or not I should buy a maternity dress for this event, but ultimately decided that it wasn’t worth the expense for one night, since this is the last wedding I am going to be able to make before the Little Monkey gets here.  Instead, I decided to wear this number I purchased from Forever 21 a few months ago.  I wore it to another wedding earlier this year, and because of the stretchy middle material and the flare underneath the bust line, it works perfectly for my prego shape.  I topped off the look with earrings from Amrita Singh (a bridemaid’s gift from my friend Katie’s wedding), and these gold sparkly bow pumps.  My husband calls them my “Wizard of Oz” shoes, but I absolutely love them.  Before you think I am insane for wearing 5 inch heels while 6.5 months pregnant (ok, so maybe I’m a little insane, but heels just make a girl feel prettier, right?), I did end up changing into flats for the dancing portion of the evening.  No one needs a pregnant woman falling over on the dance floor.

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Dress: Forever 21 (now on sale!) / Sparkly Glitter Bow Pumps: ALDO / Earrings: Amrita Singh – this pair is also similar / Watch: Michael Kors / Gold Clutch: (old) – similar here / Lip: MAC Candy Yum Yum / Nails: Essie Boom Boom Room

We got back from our mini-vacation to Maine this weekend, and wow did we have an amazing time!  I have so much to share from our trip, but first I want to share some fabulous wedding photos from Kurt and Tiff’s big day.  I have lots to edit and catch up on from my time away, so stay tuned this week and next for some exciting posts to come!

XO,

Gina

It’s Electric

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And it’s back to my uniform this summer…the maxi dress!  I scored this one at a discount price from a local spot near my office.  Again, it’s not maternity, which makes me happy because I know I will be able to wear it post-pregnancy.  I love the rainbow of colors on this dress, and it was perfect for a beautiful sunny Saturday family reunion with my Dad’s side of the fam.

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Maxi Dress: K&G Fashion Superstore – similar / Sunnies: Modcloth / Sandals: Dolce Vita (on sale!) / Necklace: Baublebar / Bracelets: J. Crew, Flair Accessories, ASOS, and c/o Guilty Jean / Watch: Michael Kors / Nails: Essie Turquoise and Caicos / Toes: Essie DJ Play That Song / Lip: MAC Snob

Happy Hump Day everyone!

Girl’s night went off with a hitch last night.  Mucho thanks to my girl Ailie for graciously painting my toes (I can no longer reach them).  I am not a big fan of feet, and not sure I would have jumped at this opportunity had the roles been reversed, so this task was very much appreciated!  We had a great night of nail painting, mud-masking, movie watching, and festival chicken.

This morning I rose early to meet my cousin Seamus for breakfast in the city.  He is in town from Cali to surprise his sister today as she is giving birth to another little baby tomorrow.  So sweet!  The last time I saw him was on his wedding day to my cousin Alex, so it was great to catch up!  So glad we were able to make a little get-together happen this morning.

Hope you are all enjoying the week so far!

XO,

Gina