portrait on a post-it note.

he had said he was going to draw me but i laughed expecting a stick figure in his chicken scratch or a caricature at best. what could he do in five minutes? 

i was reading in the break room when my co-worker handed this to me.

Sharing Sundays... etsy favorites from EWMcCall.

i first fell in love with this etsy shop when i saw how she paired her pink ruffle faux front ribbon bow with this shift dress (doesn't she look like Girls' Lena Dunham?)

i could dress an entire family with their up-cycled pieces.

pink ruffle faux front ribbon bow / vintage up-cycled blazer with leather lapel patch & suede elbow patches (i would LOVE to see my husband in this!) / long sleeve shirt with brown wool patch / up-cycled nautical short sleeve shirt

boys (12 months) nautical orange stripes / boys hipster leather shoulder patch onesie (18 months) / girls tunic (5-6) floral design / baby girl bloomers with lace (0-3 months)

i love how a patch of leather, lace with glitter, or mix matched buttons add to an already great vintage piece.

my week with Marisol.

It always feels like the day after Christmas whenever I have to say bye to my family again for a little while. We had the most amazing time at my brother Marco & Christina's house - my stomach hurt from laughing so much (baby girl probably thought she was on a roller coaster) and I felt like my heart grew twice in size holding my beautiful niece Marisol. 

I am so in love with her that missing her right now hurts {I can't even begin to fathom what it will be like when I meet my own daughter in September}. She is perfect. 

It was love at first sight when we arrived in Arizona. We didn't care that we were tired/hot from the drive over. (also? there's nothing like seeing your parents with their grandchild)

 my brother's mini me

I hope i'm the Mama Christina is (she is everything we prayed for when it came to Marco). I'm so thankful for the practice I got holding/feeding/changing Sollie.

 now that we live in different cities, i can't get enough of seester time when we're together

the Lechuga girls (who couldn't stop "fighting" to hold Marisol - look we all have to touch her even in this photo-- cracks me up auntie Maddie is holding her foot!)

I've never had a surprise party... until now. My favorite (that's what I call Christina) planned a surprise baby shower for me with my family and lovies, I was COMPLETELY surprised! I couldn't stop crying of happiness and love for all they did for me and Felix. They completely spoiled me! Felix has a matching stroller/carrier set, pack 'n play, and a cove swing to name a few gifts. 

i think my expression says it all! ♥ BEST. SURPRISE. EVER! 

and because you can't really see my nearly 31 week baby bump in my baby shower pic, here it is in all it's glory above. i think felix was happy with all the good eating, thanks to Christina & her family, plus my Momma. 

Marco & Christina, thank-you for sharing your beautiful family and home with us! (too bad older sissy BriBri doesn't like taking photos) I already can't wait to see you guys again when Felix arrives. I pray she's just as beautiful and sweet as your Sollie girl. love you all xoxo 

(marianne's post on our family trip- including more photos of our beautiful girl)

much needed family time.

MY PARENTS ARE HERE!!!

I'm so excited to have them and even better-- tomorrow we'll drive over to Phoenix to my brother Marco & Christina's house where we'll stay a week all together (twinkie & maddie will fly in on Wednesday). 

We can't wait to meet their beautiful baby girl Marisol, who I'm already so in love with! 

i'll post photos when i get back xoxo

Sharing Sundays... an etsy favorite from My Needle Habit.

i would totally frame this and put it above my bed.

happy things with which to end the week.

♥ celebrating birthdays are my favorite. gift for my crafty friend sarah (a reminder via one of her etsy favorites -i played detective- + a giftcard to help her do what she loves)

♥ my beautiful niece Marisol turned a month on the 4th - i love daily photos of this sweet beauty but even better than that? knowing that next week i'll finally get to meet her with my family in Phoenix!!! seriously, can't wait!!!

♥ lunch date with Molly (& Jennifer, not pictured) to finally see Magic Mike. Can't wait to share my own personal male stripper experience on the blog soon *wink

♥ woke up to this notification that i was tagged on facebook by my dear friend Carrie. i have the best girlfriends, hands down. 

♥ there's nothing that will melt my heart quicker than husband buying gifts for our little girl. He said you hardly see "Papa" (which is so true) and the Dale... She's Dale to his Chip. 

♥ speaking of that husband of mine, making me breakfast before i head off to work - it's the little things.

♥ 29 week + 2 days baby bump {hi felix!}

♥ i made "thank you" cupcakes to bring to work today on my LAST DAY. let the nesting begin! 

♥ the rain pouring outside this morning adds to the enjoyment of my morning coffee

Happy Friday Lovies! what happy things are you ending the week with?

+please leave a link below if you do post-- i'd love to share in your happiness xo

Sharing Sundays... an etsy favorite from SHESABETTIE boutique.

i am so in love with this vintage bikini. polka dots and ruffles? yes, please!

i will get my pre-baby body back, i will get my pre-baby body back, i will get my pre-baby body back...

pretty, with a pretty price tag ($198) but! she does offer lay-a-way.



+ help me wish my beautiful karina a most happy birthday! i miss you + love you so very much birthday girl  & can't wait to be in NYC together again hopefully someday soon xo