Happy Birthday Robbie Williams!

If you know me, then you know I have loved British singer Robbie Williams since I was 10 and he was in a boyband called Take That. When Felix was born, my sweet friend Faiza sent me the sweetest onesies. She made them after things I loved so naturally there was one of Robbie Williams. I literally gasped when I saw this "itty bitty Robbie Williams fan" onesie. Seriously, I have the best friends!* 

I couldn't wait for this one in particular to fit Fe. What better day to wear it (with a pink tutu & gold shoes of course) than Robbie's birthday?

Felix usually smiles for me but naturally, when I want to be a teeny bopper and tweet a photo to RW, she's like this frog. 

You guys. Look at the image of the cake Robbie posted on his instagram feed. Out of the 1,000 of photos of him, this is the image. I know I sound pretty crazy, but I thought it was kinda neat ;)

 Happy Birthday RW!


*gold shoes from Claire / tutu from Ezgi (headband made by my Momma) Felix is lucky to be so loved!

Catching up with Friends is my Favorite.

This past week I got to meet up with a sweet friend I hadn't seen since we were 19-20 when we met during my summer holiday in Italy.

Now Jenn and I are first time Mothers to baby girls. Jenn and her precious 8 month old daughter Stella live in Georgia but were in the next town over visiting friends (actually throwing a surprise baby shower for one of her friends!). Lucky us that she drove to nowhere El Paso ;) to have lunch with my family.  We had such a great time catching up!

Stella in her jeggins wanting to talk to Felix (who's wearing the most amazing pair of gold shoes--they actually stay on! and get so many compliments--a gift from Auntie Claire)

Stella is the happiest baby ever!

Hurray! A Maxham family photo because we actually had someone to snap one.  Lovies, how handsome is my husband? And goodness our babe is beautiful. 

I'm a lucky girl. 

I have these two, and I have the most wonderful friends, including you reading this post. xo 

For my friend Erin.

One of my first close blog friends was Erin of Pugh's News. We are still incredibly close and now that we both have iphones (hurray!) I love that she is just a text away. 

She was one of the first persons I told I was getting married. It was during our first Skype date and she had little Sawyer in her lap. Not surprisingly, she was one of the first I told about Felix. After we found out baby Maxham was a girl, Erin sent me this onesie she custom ordered from Gentry's Closet. 

I remember this particular gift made me feel like this was really happening. My dream of being a Mama was coming true. Something about seeing her name and the star on her birthplace. I couldn't wait until Felix could wear it and at the time it seemed so far away.

Auntie Erin, this photo is for you!

Erin, Felix has been playing in her onesie all afternoon. It's perfect! Thank-you again. We love you so much XO

Wishing My Favorite Happy Birthday!

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finally, finally!

Once upon a time I wrote about a blog crush of mine named April. When I talk to blog friends, we usually talk about who we would love to meet. April has always been one of my answers. 

You guys, i finally got to hug her this past Saturday. Lovies, she does not disappoint. We had SO much fun!

You wouldn't believe Felix was the first baby April had ever held. She was a natural with my little who loved her too. April came with fabulous gifts for Mama and baby--you know how I feel about Love Story and records + i can't wait until Felix can wear her zebras! 

Since she got here around lunch time, Marianne and I took to her to one of my favorite local eateries, a family owned greek place called Hibiscus Cafe. 

 

(Please ignore the hot mess that was my hair) Yummy hummus and gyros and the best greek coffee. 

The little babe was worn out from all the attention at lunch that we dropped her off with her grandparents so we could enjoy some thrifting!

Twinkie and I are going to pretend these are from Felix. 

We also went out for some drinks while watching some football and then stayed up late watching Parenthood (which Marianne and April just started so no spoilers!). 

Of course, there were a lot of Felix cuddles

and of course, I fell in love with April even more after meeting her. 

I mean seriously, look at her tweet. Hilarious! 

(read her write-up of our date ♥ ) 

Last Day to Enter the Pretty You & Me pick your own jewelry GIVEAWAY!

If you have't entered the Giveaway yet, PLEASE DO! the winner will be picked tomorrow.

Pretty You & Me is my friend Sarah's jewelry line. I'm really proud of her and think each piece is so unique and beautiful. I know we're good friends, but I truly mean it. I dress up my outfits (or pjs now that I'm a Mama of a 3 month old) every day with a bangle set or feather earrings. 

wearing one of my many bangle sets during my girls' trip to California (hello baby bump Felix!)

So do me a favor and support handmade because up for grabs is any piece of jewelry of YOUR choice. Doesn't get any better lovies and Sarah was so excited when she came to me about hosting a giveaway. ENTER HERE!  

Pretty You & Me Pick Your Own Jewelry Giveaway!

This beauty is my friend Sarah. I've blogged about her Pretty You and Me jewelry before-- and today she's offering one lucky reader a chance to win a one of a kind piece of jewelry of their choice!

Her pieces have a bohemian feel with a rockstar edge and yet at the same time are girly and romantic. I've purchased many bracelet sets and what I love most about her jewelry is that you can mix and match your pairs, wear them stacked or a few at a time.  

I didn't think I could pull off longer earrings or the single set look until one of her jewelry parties and I tried on (what is now) my most favorite pair.  It's the easiest way to dress up an outfit. 

Win your choice of PY&M jewelry (necklace, ring, earrings-- it's up to you!) simply by doing any/all of the following:

+ check out Pretty You And Me and comment which piece is your favorite 

+ like the PY&M facebook page *where you'll find a 20% off coupon 

+ extra entry if you follow my dolce vita

+ tweet about this giveaway // my twitter name is dolcemicaela

+ put my giveaway button on your blog, linking to this post

+ blog about this giveaway

SIX potential entries - pretty please leave separate comments for each

i'll pick the winner a week + a day on December 18th! xo

UPDATE: Shelly you're the lucky winner. hurray! please email me your shipping info and which jewelry piece your heart desires. I'll pass it along to Sarah to send off to you. ♥

thank-you to everyone who joined!

it'll be the sweetest January Wedding.

Jessie, my girlfriend from college, is getting married in January and i couldn't be more happier for her. Borrowing words i wrote about her from this post:

This is why it's so important to have a girlfriend like Jessie. They'll get you through the hard times, the growing pains. And years later, they'll celebrate in your immeasurable joy as you marry the love of your life. A friend like Jessie will really understand the weight of everything it took to get to this place in your life. 

The same is true now, except she's the one getting married. 

Today i wish i could have been sipping mimosas with the bride-to-be at her brooch brunch. i just love that idea-- bring a brooch for Jessica's bouquet.

My twinkie Marianne snapped this photo of them at brunch for me. My beauties. 

Coody bug, you happy means everything to me! I can't wait to meet your future husband {his proposal? sigh} and watch you walk down the aisle. January can't get here soon enough! love you xo 

with deepest gratitude.

from my girl Erin back home (i love the smell of vintage books)  

hello 38 weeks, day 5 baby bump

Our darling baby girl is days from being born and yet since we made our happiest announcement she has been so loved. We've been overwhelmed by the sweetest kindness from our friends (many of you dear readers) and of course our families. 

At first i was sad that i wasn't going to be able to experience a baby shower back home (just another thing about living so far away). But thanks to work, my brother's girlfriend Christina getting my family together to throw me a surprise one in Arizona, (and this one especially) thank-you to all of you lovies who have sent Felix so much love in the mail... as my twinkie said, it's like i've had a baby shower my whole pregnancy. 

I am so thankful for the showering of blessings and friendship in my life. I am so thankful to you reading this, for being with me through this magical time. It means so much to me xo

the sweetest package for felix.

My vintage soul sister Amanda sent Felix the sweetest gifts handmade with love. All of it was every bit of wonderful with a personal touch, which is just the kind of heart Amanda has. 

{i mean she even included my favorite cookies (milanos!) and her favorite cookies + the tea she swears caused her water to break when she was past her due date with her son Odyn. These are the things i love, the stories behind the gift}

i can't get over these bibs! the fabric she chose for the front and back and the embroidered F-- you just know the time and love she put into the details for my baby girl.

Picturing felix's little feet in her hot pink Maryjanes warms my heart.

Probably my favorite gift was the baby quilt Amanda made, because of the story she shared. Please read about "fuzzy" on her blog post *and also to see both sides of the quilt (my photo is it folded over) and better photographs of everything. I can't wait to take Felix's newborn photos on this quilt!

I am so in love with everything! 

Amanda, thank-you for touching my heart. I hope you know how much it means to me and my family. I'm incredibly blessed to know you xo

Sweet gifts for Felix from my sweetest (blog) girlfriends.

I've been meaning to share what my vintage soul sister Amanda sent our baby girl : the cutest vintage book, along with a bag she made. She wrote this note, "When I made this bag I pictured fun beach days with your love but now I picture toys, baby wipes, and fun snack for a day at the park with baby Maxham!" Not only is Amanda a sewing goddess, she's a gifted artist as well. She included her watercolor illustration, Swimming in Words for Felix's nursery. It's beautiful! 

 My bestie Marisa sent Felix her first teddy bear (so soft! love those floppy arms and legs) and the sweetest note. I can't wait to hang the "f" in her nursery.

Each gift so thoughtful and perfect, just like each girl XO 

(see other sweet gifts for felix here)

four girls, one city!

 Back in January four girlfriends decided it was time to start seriously planning a girls trip in one of the most beautiful cities. Next week it's finally happening!!!

Me, Twinkie (top right), our college girlfriend Jessie (top left), and Claire (bottom right) will all be together in SAN FRANCISCO!!! and i can't wait!!! 

i met claire on our way from VA to TX during the holidays when she was staying with her Momma in Georgia. They made me and darling husband a delicious breakfast and even though it was such a short time, i will never forget how excited i was when i finally saw her! it was like running up and hugging a friend you had known for years. 

and now i can't wait to see my favorite girls all really meet each other {i stress really, because i'm sure it will be the same for them as when i met claire}. 

i'll be flying in the night before on June 14th and Claire and i will pick up the girls the next day. i can't wait for that moment in the airport! 

oh the beach. i can't wait! claire's pic

we'll be staying with Claire until the 19th-- four nights of MUCH NEEDED girl time all together!

i'm excited that this is finally happening! 

i can't wait for the wine to be poured and the laughter to be endless.

i love these girls with all my heart and can't believe this time next week we'll be together.