New watch

This morning I found a box and a note at my desk at work. It was signed by my sweet sisters and my cousin S. Inside the box was this beauty:

I just love it. It is an Anne Klein watch with rosegold-tone case and and numeral markers, soft pink leather strap, and peach-colored genuine mother-of-pearl dial. It really suits my complexion and it goes with anything in my wardrobe. 

I really needed something professional for work. I've been wearing my very practical but ugly heart rate monitor watch. This one is so lovely. Not sure what I did to deserve such a treasure. Thank you girls! This is a gift I'm going to cherish forever. 

Baby-wearing

I really enjoy "wearing" my baby in a wrap. This only works when the babe is sleepy though. This little guy likes to flail his arms and kick his legs when he is awake, so he is not so keen on being constrained.

Ninja mama with her hidden secret weapon

New hair

I've started feeling a little homely lately, so I decided a new haircut was in order. What a difference a small change can make in how you feel! Jeffers took some pics.

Of course, some obligatory belly shots. Despite the largeness in my middle, I still have a droopy butt. :)
We also attended the postpartum adjustments class at the hospital where I plan to deliver. It was interesting to hear from a panel of new parents who told us how they managed after baby came home. Some interesting and scary stuff. But it's good to have realistic expectations of what it is going to be like.

Remembering what's important...

Today I spent with family. Drove to my parents' house in the morning, where my aunt Senada, my cousins Neira and Budo, and of course, my sisters and my parents were waiting. They went on a big shopping spree yesterday and brought some goodies for me, too. My mom picked for me some beautiful clothes at the Gap. Love them! My sweet sisters bought me a long coveted Longchamp bag. Thank you mama, tata & sisters! I'm very grateful, but you really shouldn't have. Having you as my family is gift enough.

Then cousins, sisters and I headed to Grey's lake for a nice long walk, had some iced tea outside Starbucks while listening to a street performer, and then caught a show at the Science Center (IMAX). Afterwards we had a great lunch at my parents' house, and even got to Skype with some family members in the "old" country. :)

Ami, Budo, Neira & Adji

Daredevils

My beautiful sisters and cousin

At home, my dear hubby and I continued to clean and organize. We are donating a lot of good stuff to the Disabled American Veterans. It's amazing how much stuff people acquire over a few years. We definitely want to downsize and simplify our lives. Plus, we are making some room in our home. Most of you know why, but others are free to guess. :)

Scissors, hammer, and knitting needles

I cut my bangs. I was getting annoyed with the way my front hair didn't know where to go. Parting it just looks awful, and my face is wide enough that I couldn't have a side sweep without covering my eyes. So I grabbed some scissors, and did it myself. I have to say, I'm rather pleased with the result.

New hairdo

In other news, I scored another print at Target. This one is of a moped (something I'd like to own one day).

Added to the random wall

I'm working on a lot of knitting projects. I won't reveal what they are, but thought I'd give you some clues.

Soft ruffles

I got a feeling/somebody's watching me

Stripey

Waterlily blocks

Projects will be revealed soon. Hope I piqued your interest a little. That should motivate me to finish them.

A fashion resurrection

Why yes - I am wearing overalls.
I like how they don't cut into my guts.

Shoooos!

This week has been very stressful. I've been working many late hours, and am even stuck at the office this weekend. So it was more than necessary for me to reward myself without depleting my wallet or gaining three pounds. My reward - these cute dusty rose-colored flats from Target. They even have some padding in the sole, making them very comfortable on this working girl's tired feet.

Lovely, pretty shoes. :)

Birds of a feather...

My sisters are fashionistas. These girls have style. While trying to figure out what to get them, I stumbled upon LoveMely on Etsy. Sister Z is big on pretty feather headbands. So while browsing for her (shhhh... you'll see her present later), I found this beautiful headband for me. :D
It matches my fair skin and hair, so it's not too flashy. The feathers are bleached peacock, and it has a nice vintage button at the bottom. I can't wait to wear it this holiday.

I got my love to keep me warm

I got a new, warm, down Kenneth Cole coat. Very Euro. My old coat's zipper broke, and I can't wear wool coats because of my dog's tireless (and I am sure intentional) shedding. I like it. Cold Iowa winter - bring it on!
I also got myself some in-house bootie slippers. Makes me think of Scandinavian fjords.
And I started a new project - star-crossed slouchy beret. The Malabrigo yarn I am using is so soft and fun to knit with.
And I had to share with you an Awww-worthy moment. The other night, I heard my hubby singing a sweet tune, and when I sneaked in the living room, I caught this tender moment. My hubby was singing to our puppy (while playing with his ears). My heart completely melted.

Oh boy! So much going on!

Saturday was a fun- and stuff-filled day. After the farmers' market, hubby and I took our pup to the vet for his ear infection checkup. He just gets so excited and hyper. Can't you tell by my husband's face?
Next, sisters and I spent the day at the mall buying clothes and getting my haircut. Below is my new haircut. Low-maintenance... I like it.Once at home, I got to show my hubby my new haircut and my loot. He high-fived me. That's his way of complimenting me.
Oh, and today I got my newest Tosca Reno cookbook in the mail. Can't wait to try the recipes!
And, and... I got the newest issue of the Bust magazine in the mail, and on the cover were my girl-crush Ellen Page and this cute lil actress known as Alia Shawkat. I love them! I just had to show.
And now on to my loot. This one was on sale for around $4 at Gap.
And this one is from Aerie. Love the color.
New shoes! Brown, suede, kitten-heel, with a ruffle in the front. It will really go with all the brown stuff I bought.
And as you will see, there is a lot of it. I know some of you may cringe for the lack of color in my new wardrobe (B!), but I promise next time I'll throw in some non-neutral hues.
Here is a recycled material soft brown shirt with buttons on the shoulder detail from Gap.
And a long cardigan that I'll be able to throw over my summer stuff during this transitional season.
And a lovely tweed jacket... brown, of course.
Another brown shirt! Who would have thunk it? By the way, I am now downgraded to a size 10 in pants and jackets, and a Medium in shirts! I can't believe it!
My new, size 10 real straight cut jeans from Gap. They are actually a tiny, tiny bit loose. Size 8, here I come!
Working out and eating right has really made so many positive changes in my appearance and confidence. I am more motivated than ever. As for my wallet... that's another story. :)

Free as a bird

I forgot to mention that I acquired some new cool stuff.

I've been wanting some Nike+ running shoes for quite a while. This is the kind that work with your iPod. They tell you how long you've been running, what distance, and at what pace. It allows you to upload you running info on their website, where you can also get coaching. It's simply awesome! You can see my little Nike Mini Me prancing around on the right of the blog. It keeps track of my running activity. The energy of the Mini Me is directly related to how active I've been.
I LOVE them! What a great impulse buy. I've already told you about my personal record - a 9:43 minute mile. I am already itching to beat that. These shoes are a great motivation.

I also bought some pretty necklaces and earrings. One of the necklaces feature a set of wings, another a bird and a feather, and the third is an owl. The earings are of birds (from Aerie, see below) and owls. Notice a trend?
I am just loving jewelry that features organic elements (leaves, birds, trees). I am on a hunt for more stuff like that. Let me know if you see something that might interest me. :)

Much ado about a scarf

So today I was meeting my other friend B, let's call her BL, to celebrate her birthday. I got her that gift certificate to Eden, and I finished her scarf. Here it is:Here is me, modeling it.
And here is the birthday girl, modeling it even better. She really liked it and wore it out of the coffee shop into the hot May day. So I know she really liked it. (She's the kind of girl that would not be caught dead looking bad or weird.)
She also took me to Vitae Design Collective, which I found very cool. This is a boutique cooperatively run by five independent designers; Acanthus Apparel, Pink Revolver, Magpie, Barbarella, and rok:her:roots. The boutique also sells art, jewelry, and apparel from other local and independent designers. And the stuff is actually affordable, which is awesome.

Unmentionables and fake-bake

The weather has been incredible lately. I am just loving this part of the year. So yesterday I came home to find my two most favorite, tuckered, dirty boys. (Hubby was doing yard work in his hobo clothes; Wally is just dirty by nature.)
B, my tall, pretty coworker and I went to Victoria Secret during lunch. They had the 10 panties for $25 deal that I just couldn't pass up. Below is my selection (nothing is sacred enough for the internet - I am such an exhibitionist.)

B and I also made a quick stop at Clarins for some sunless tanning products. I must say, Clarins has the best fake-bake stuff. I would know - I am as pale as the cast of the Twilight movie. Most stuff looks orange on me. But not this.

And in case you wondered, here is me with my new red hair and my "tan". It's actually drastic change from where I started. I am still trying to get used to my "darker" self.

Ick!

Sunday headaches

I have to write a huge paper by the end of the day today - brand audit critique for my intersession class. My team mates and I have this paper scheduled day by day, with each of us touching the paper on each day until it's perfection. As the first on the list, I am supposed to provide the core. I have not done that yet. I am tired and have this yucky headache. Ugh...

So, who's to blame? Well, I did babysit my sisters last night. Parents were out of town and so my sisters had friends over pretty late. Frisbee-playing, movie-watching, pizza-eating bunch. I didn't get to bed till 2am or so. Then, I finally came home this morning (delayed by my sister's delicious Belgian waffle breakfast), greeted by my appreciative husband (I think he missed me). He could be blamed, too.

And after settling everything (that is, unpacking my overnight bag), I sit down to write my paper and instead produce this:
Why? Why am I incapable of directing my energy towards things that HAVE TO be done? Like... tonight! Sigh.

Ah, yes - I also purchased another shirt yesterday. It is supposed to go with the bamboo cardigan I ordered. Should look pretty sweet with it.