The Weekend Is Finally Upon Us

{Chanel Flap, Vince Skirt, Miu Miu Pumps}

The Homestretch

With just 7 weeks left until I'm due, I can't help but start to dream about the food and drink I can start consuming again soon. Just looking at these pictures is torture! I plan to have each and every one of these things as soon as I can after delivery!

Red Wine

DuMOL "Ryan" is one of my favorite Pinot Noirs. Our bottles have been waiting patiently for us in the wine fridge for the past 8 months.

Sushi

Foie Gras

This variety is from Gilt Taste and I have it on my list of gluttony for after I give birth!

Soft & Imported Cheeses

Again, a Gilt Taste variety pack on my list of gluttony!

Cured Meats

Yes, Gilt Taste again!

Over-easy Eggs...

or anything raw!

Subway Spicy Italian Sandwiches

...or any deli meat sandwich!

Shoe Want List

Being 8 months pregnant has put a huge damper on my shopping addiction and love of dressing up. I have finally reached the point where I can no longer comfortably wear high heels and pretty much just want to sit in my pajamas all day on the couch.

I can't wait to meet my little girl in a few weeks, but I also can't wait to start wearing my normal outfits and shoes again! Here are a few heels on my want list for the fall. Since I wear all my heels to the office and won't be going back to work until December, I'm hoping that I can score these shoes during the holiday or year-end sales!

Valentino Micro-Studded Heel Platform Pump - $745

Valentino Studded T-Strap Pump - $895

Lanvin Crystal Flower Pump - $1,688

Valentino Patent Leather Round Toe Bow Pumps - $775

Mini Me

I never thought I'd be one of those Moms who wanted to be matchy-matchy with their daughters...but lo and behold, I guess I am! Maybe it's because I'm buying clothes for her that I like, so her things end up looking like my things? In any case, it's been very fun shopping for my soon-to-be-born daughter.

Things I'm loving right now...and the mini versions!

Splish Splash

It's amazing how difficult it is to find a nice & stylish shower curtain that doesn't look like it belongs in your mother's or grandmother's bathroom! Here are a few options I've found from Anthropologie & Urban Outfitters in my quest for the perfect shower curtain.

Waterfall Ruffle Shower Curtain from Urban - $79

Bustled Shower Curtain from Anthro - $118

Waves of Ruffles Shower Curtain from Anthro - $98

Growing Vine Shower Curtain from Urban - $39

Sculpted Mums Shower Curtain from Anthro - $118

Vosges Mo's Bacon Chocolate Chip Pancakes

{Vosges Mo's Bacon Chocolate Chip Pancake mix}

I am quite a fan of Vosges chocolate, especially their Milk Chocolate Bacon Bar, so it makes sense that I would also try their pancake mix.

I should disclaim this post by noting that I absolutely HATE making pancakes. I will slave in the kitchen preparing 3 hour dinners, bake pretty much everything from scratch, and make a homecooked Thanksgiving turkey dinner...but have some sort of weird mental block when it comes to pancakes. So if I want to eat pancakes for breakfast, I buy Bisquick Shake N Pour and have Jason make them.

So I attempted to make these pancakes. There were a few steps I can't figure out the point of doing separately ( 1. mix buttermilk and egg white; 2. mix melted butter and egg yolk; 3. mix 1 & 2 together and then combine with dry mix). I feel like I could have just mixed all the wet ingredients and then combined it with the dry, but I followed the directions anyway.

Another weird thing is that you can either put the very large chunks of chocolate "chips" into the pancake before you flip it to cook the other side, or just cook the pancakes without the chocolate chips and put the chocolate chips between the cooked pancakes. For some reason, I thought I would mix the chocolate chips into the batter.

The verdict:

1) The pancakes good. They were not fluffy, more of a mix between crepes and pancakes

2) Rather than buy this mix, just buy Bisquick Shake N Pour and a Vosges Chocolate Bacon Bar. You will basically get the same result, the batter will be easier to make, and it will be a few dollars cheaper!

Celine In Action

{Zara blazer; Express maxi; DKNY sandals; pearl & chains necklace from Rachel; Celine Mini Luggage bag}

I fell in love with this hot pink blazer after seeing it on another blog and had to track it down when I visited California! I love that the hot pink color brightens the grey dress and gives this work outfit a more cheerful feel than if I had paired it with a black blazer.

Food, Friends & a Bag?

{Forever 21 maxi dress & earrings; Bag from a leather shop in Florence, Italy}

On Sunday, I met T. Lynn and Rachel for lunch at the Plumeria Beach House at the Kahala Hotel. They were both in town for weddings and it was really nice to see them and catch up on each others lives.

Then we made a pit stop at Aloha Rag, where I bought a new purse!

Introducing the newest member of my handbag collection: the Celine Mini Luggage in Camel! The leather is uber soft and pebbled, and despite the bag being called 'mini', it really isn't! It'll be the perfect day bag for work and on the weekends!

Soft As A Cloud

{Wrapadoo baby blanket}

As part of a baby shower gift, my thoughtful friends gave me the softest baby blanket and baby blanket square in the whole world. The Wrapadoo baby blanket is literally softer than any blanket you have ever felt before. It feels like heaven...in a little square...so it's definitely a good thing the baby blanket is too small for me to curl up in, otherwise I'd probably steal it from my unborn child. For those of you who have no need for a baby blanket but are interested in owning a little piece of heaven, there is an adult sized throw blanket.

Todd English PUB

Todd English PUB at City Center in Las Vegas is fantastic! It was probably mine and Jason's favorite restaurant of our whole Vegas vacation!

{i took this picture for t. lynn}

{the New Amsterdam burger: beef patty, pastrami, swiss cheese, pickle relish}

{onion rings with spicy ranch (ranch dressing mixed with sriracha hot sauce) & dirty chips: potato chips with bacon, blue cheese dressing, fried chicken livers}

{bangers & mash}

{the chocolate bomb}

Can't wait to try...Homemade Infused Vodka

With Summer almost here and Football season approaching, I can't wait to try these infused vodka recipes I found on Real Simple (photo 1) and Design Sponge (photo 2). They are simple and quick (the infusion process is just 1 week long) and you get to drink the end product!

I must say that I do prefer flavored vodka to plain, as I have a few bottles of Crop Organic Tomato Vodka and Cucumber Vodka that I love. The cucumber vodka is fresh and crisp, and delicious with muddled mint and 7up. The tomato vodka is perfect for bloody marys.

Some flavor ideas I'd like to try:

1) Mango

2) Basil - mix with tomato juice to add a twist to a bloody mary

3) Carrot - mix with orange juice

4) Jalapeno

If you put these infused vodkas in pretty jars or bottles with gift tags, they would also make very cute and unique hostess gifts!

Lime Green Kick

For some reason, I've been obsessed with the color lime green. I wandered into the Ann Taylor at Fashion Show Mall while visiting Las Vegas and immediately had to have these lime green sandals.  Extra bonus for them being on sale for $79.99 too!

Perfect for Summer: Wedge Sandals

1. 7 For All Mankind Kristen Suede Wedge Sandals - $195

2. Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Jemma Wedge Sandals - On sale for $245

3. Ash Lucy X Band Wedge Sandal - On sale for $157.50

4. Frye Corrina Stitched Wedge Sandals - On sale for $138.60

5. K. Jacques Jalama Cork Platform Sandals - $270

6. Joie Womack Wooden Wedge Sandals - $255

Cheese, Please

My idea of a great Saturday night is staying home with Jason, opening a bottle of nice red wine, and consuming a delicious array of imported cheeses, pates, crackers, bread, and cured meats. So it should come as no surprise that I have started collecting nice cheese platters to add ambiance to our special nights.

Acquisition #1: November 2010, Michael Aram Olive Branch Board

Acquisition #2: May 2011, Found at a vintage sale for $7

I was really excited when I found this glass domed display at a vintage sale this past weekend as I had been eyeing a similar version at Williams Sonoma. Since this domed display is so cute, I also plan to use it to show off cupcakes or other baked goods.

Salmon en Papillote

Salmon en Papillote is a fantastic weeknight dinner. It takes a maximum of 25 minutes, is healthy, and actually looks pretty fancy! En Papillote means 'in parchment' and cooks the food using steam.

Ingredients

1) A salmon fillet for each person you are feeding

2) A lemon or lime, sliced thinly

3) Olive Oil

4) Fresh dill (or dry dill or salmon seasoning)

5) Asparagus

6) Parchment Paper (foil may work too)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut a piece of parchment paper about 1 foot long for each salmon fillet.

Fold parchment paper in half.

Place cut and washed asparagus on either half of the parchment.

Place salmon fillet on top of asparagus.

Drizzle salmon and asparagus with olive oil.

Sprinkle with dill (or choice of seasoning).

Place sliced lemon or lime over salmon fillet.

Fold the empty half of the parchment paper over the salmon.

Fold over edges of parchment paper to make a sealed package.

Place parchment packets on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven for about 20 to 22 minutes.

Voila! A gorgeous dinner that you didn't have to slave 3 hours in the kitchen to make!

Classy

I know she has a lot of haters out there, but I LOVE Olivia Palermo's sense of style. She is classy and elegant, yet knows how to incorporate just the right amount of trendiness and youth into her ensembles. I find that sometimes it's easier to be trendy than following your own sense of style. When I see pictures of her, it reminds me that it's okay to be a little plain and conservative sometimes!

{photo credit: The Vogue Diaries}

{photo credit: The Vogue Diaries}

{photo credit: People.com}

{photo credit: People.com}

{photo credit: The Vogue Diaries}

{photo credit: Style.com}

{Photo credit: People.com}