modern crochet.

perusing etsy never ends too well,

and today i went a little crochet happy and found a few things
i had to share.

{1} crochet teething ring from finnish etsy owner, koukku
{2} adorable wool diaper covers available in all colors
{3} vintage toddler cable knit sweater. love!
{4} crocheted baby heart mobile by sockmonkeysoaps

getting creative.

i just hit 37 weeks, with not much by way of maternity clothes. as a matter of fact, the only maternity clothes i've bought are three pairs of jeans. now that it's mid winter, i'm learning to be very creative with the layering of the clothes i currently have. well either that, or i just throw on some leggings, an over-sized sweater, and any boots that still fit my swollen feet, and call it a day. 

if i hit my due date {feb 13} i've only got 3 weeks left. 3 weeks! can you believe that? nesting has gone into full-force as we highly anticipate the early arrival of baby m. most things that i'm crossing off my list these days aren't too interesting but all important in my eyes. hubs thinks i'm crazy as i fold and re-fold baby girl's clothes, sorting them into different piles and placing them into new locations each week. to be honest, i think they might call that going stir crazy versus nesting. but whatever it is, i'm ready! come on girlfriend! 

it's a baby shower.

my baby shower was last weekend, which is making this whole thing seem very real! my beautiful hosts threw the most stunning shower that i still can't get over. it was incredible, and i'm so lucky to have such great friends!

carnival-themed children's books lined the walls while feathers, candy peanuts, beads, and other carni goodies filled the tables.

lots of delicious food! i could eat kelsey's caramelized bacon strips on a stick every day of the week if given the chance. isn't the banner adorable (thanks kylie). it's already hanging over baby's crib!

treats.

you can't act too surprised that we managed to stop at all these delicious places in just three short days, 

now can you?

{1} grimaldi's pizza :: {2} the city bakery hot coco

{3} jacques torres chocolate chip cookies :: {4} bar suzette crepes

{5} shake shack :: {6} levain bakery

{7} & {8} stand 4 toasted marshmallow shakes

puh-lease, you know my track record.

and trust me, baby m likes it. 

wtc memorial.

i'm embarrassed that i've lived two blocks from the world trade center memorial for nine months and have just now paid it a visit! despite the frigid weather {and we being severely underdressed}, it was still a pretty remarkable experience. not only is the site beautiful, but it brings back some pretty vivid memories of the day. 

family + friends.

oh hello! 

i'm back after a fabulous week with these lovely folks. i've got the best family and friends 

who came out for one last hurrah before baby m makes her appearance.

{which, btw, is hopefully 4 weeks or less!}

baby corner.

step right up, ladies and gentleman! i've always had a little thing for carnivals, and not because of the clowns because, quite frankly, they scare me. but i do love everything else carni: the colors, the rides, the lights, the banners. hubs thinks i'm a nerd, but oh, i love carnivals! and i knew i wanted baby m's corner to reflect this. while unfortunately she doesn't have a whole bedroom for me to decorate, i'm taking her corner seriously and getting down to business. here's my style board of everything i want and/or have purchased. isn't the chandelier fabulous? now, i just need to learn how to install it. successfully. above my child's head... help!

happy new year!

baby girl is coming next month. did you hear me? next month, people!! 

how is it already january, and how is it already 2012?

while the hubs and i couldn’t muster up enough strength to get real crazy for new year’s eve, we did enjoy a romantic dinner and a movie together. and while i'm on the topic of our dinner, has anyone else had the pleasure of trying sarabeth’s raspberry bread pudding? it’s sinful!

2011 was a good year for us, and it will be one to remember:

super bowl trip to dallas in february.

our move from east village to financial district in april.

a jaunt through italy in may.

seeing all of my family together again in july.

And most importantly, finding out we’re adding a baby girl to our family!!

2012—I couldn’t be more excited for you, and i'm ready for everything you’ve got in store for us. 

I have a feeling you just might top 2011.

happy new year, everyone!