tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236909566330445492024-03-12T21:49:05.594-07:00Champagne ReveriesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-25036871117099181692015-05-15T10:41:00.001-07:002015-05-15T10:41:16.856-07:00Surviving the 3rd trimester<div style="text-align: center;">
After you have a baby, one of the first questions after "How are you sleeping?" is "So when are you having a second?" It's surprising how many people ask that. I don't know if we'll have a second, we're just having a really good time getting to know Luca and enjoying this newborn stage. He's already changing so quickly. It's amazing how much stuff you forget, so I wanted to jot down a few of my 3rd trimester essentials just in case a second comes along.<br />
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I think I was pretty lucky in my third trimester. I heard people talk about feeling like they just wanted to get the baby out of them and that they were so uncomfortable they were over being pregnant. Some friends felt like that early into the third trimester. But I never really felt that way. By the very end I was just anxious to meet our baby (and find out if we had a son or daughter!). But I was still pretty comfortable.</div>
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That said, there were some things that made the third trimester a lot easier for me.</div>
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I did yoga throughout my entire pregnancy. I went to a prenatal class once a week and then did stretches at home at night before bed. Honestly, I think this was the #1 best thing I did during pregnancy. I don't know how women survive pregnancy without it. I also did a pilates reformer class about once a week. It wasn't prenatal but the instructor modified things for me as I got further along.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_B6pgXzW5co/VVIkA1qN1hI/AAAAAAAAAak/-uQ_zI4LVx4/s1600/B10-301-04_third_trimester_tea_front_view_white_1024x1024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_B6pgXzW5co/VVIkA1qN1hI/AAAAAAAAAak/-uQ_zI4LVx4/s320/B10-301-04_third_trimester_tea_front_view_white_1024x1024.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I loved <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Mama-Angel-Baby-Trimester/dp/B0032AM8IM" target="_blank">this tea</a> and drank a small pot of it almost every night starting at 36 weeks. I also brewed red raspberry leaf tea which is said to help your labor progress. I'm not sure if it did anything but my doctor said my active labor stage progressed much faster than was expected. And if anything, while it felt like so much was out of my hands, making this tea every night made me feel like I had a bit of control and was helping things along.<br />
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A friend recommended taking <a href="http://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-evening-primrose-oil-with-gla-1300-mg-300-softgels-3" target="_blank">evening primrose oil</a> during my 3rd trimester. I took two a day until 38 weeks and then took four a day. Like the tea, there's no way to tell if it actually helped things. But it made me feel like I was doing something to help and I had a really fast recovery.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_7qDaAoSzA/VVInSPWz-kI/AAAAAAAAAbE/8omngpXVtME/s1600/productimage-picture-thank-you-calligraphy-black-824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_7qDaAoSzA/VVInSPWz-kI/AAAAAAAAAbE/8omngpXVtME/s320/productimage-picture-thank-you-calligraphy-black-824.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We were incredibly blessed to have three different people host showers for Luca's arrival. One of my goals while on maternity leave was to send all of our thank you cards before I went into labor. Friends and family were so incredibly generous, I had to re-order stationary several times just to write them all. I ordered some gorgeous cards from <a href="https://sugarpaper.com/shop/category/thank-you-notes/" target="_blank">Sugar Paper LA</a>. Target also has a really selection at great prices - favorites <a href="http://www.target.com/p/cherry-blossom-thank-you-cards-50-count/-/A-10799137#prodSlot=_1_23" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.target.com/p/love-letters-wedding-thank-you-cards-50-count/-/A-14362535#prodSlot=_1_11" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I was skeptical at first but now I'm a total believer in the benefits of acupuncture. I started going for my migraine pain and continued through pregnancy. It was wonderful to have an hour to just lay down and relax in the middle of the day. At 38 weeks, my acupuncturist started doing some techniques to help induce labor. That afternoon was the first time I felt my first contractions. I scheduled 2 more sessions after that and had to cancel the last one because my water broke.</div>
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Friends warn you about lots of things during pregnancy but it's hard to imagine it happening to you... until it does. Like not being able to cross your legs or not being able to tie your shoes. I laughed when I had to contort myself to reach to tie my shoes and then finally gave in and wore slip-on shoes for the last few weeks of pregnancy. I thought I had avoided the feet swelling stage too, but during my last few weeks of work, by the end of the day my feet were so swollen. At night I used Luca's <a href="http://www.diapers.com/p/the-first-years-infant-to-toddler-tub-with-sling-blue-22049?qid=827131768929255960&sr=1-2" target="_blank">infant tub</a> and soaked my feet in warm water with <a href="http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Lollia-Calm-Bath-Salt-Sachet-Lollia/prod135910046___/p.prod?icid=&searchType=MAIN&rte=%252Fsearch.jsp%253FN%253D4294887512%2526_requestid%253D147064%2526Ntt%253DLollia&eItemId=prod135910046&cmCat=search" target="_blank">bath salts</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_o1r4lgcnAI/VVIumiEsxEI/AAAAAAAAAbU/Aip7l7HNCVc/s1600/Sierra_Life_1__33538.1415214503.1280.1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_o1r4lgcnAI/VVIumiEsxEI/AAAAAAAAAbU/Aip7l7HNCVc/s400/Sierra_Life_1__33538.1415214503.1280.1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've <a href="http://champagnereveries.blogspot.com/2015/01/surviving-first-trimester-and-surviving.html" target="_blank">mentioned it before</a>, but the <a href="http://www.bumpnest.com/pregnancy-body-pillow/" target="_blank">bumpnest pillow</a> was such an essential item for my sleep in both the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oA8bynDq08Q/VVYvRaKL8OI/AAAAAAAAAcU/JrVZNazKTGk/s1600/IMG_4780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oA8bynDq08Q/VVYvRaKL8OI/AAAAAAAAAcU/JrVZNazKTGk/s640/IMG_4780.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
{2 1/2 weeks}<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-buaXcymCVrU/VVYu0c1NDnI/AAAAAAAAAcM/UGJEq61QMEI/s1600/IMG_4953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-buaXcymCVrU/VVYu0c1NDnI/AAAAAAAAAcM/UGJEq61QMEI/s640/IMG_4953.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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{5 weeks}</div>
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~LMD</div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D723690956633044549%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2503687111709918169%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-_o1r4lgcnAI%2FVVIumiEsxEI%2FAAAAAAAAAbU%2FAip7l7HNCVc%2Fs400%2FSierra_Life_1__33538.1415214503.1280.1280.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 153px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1940px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D723690956633044549%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2503687111709918169%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-_o1r4lgcnAI%2FVVIumiEsxEI%2FAAAAAAAAAbU%2FAip7l7HNCVc%2Fs400%2FSierra_Life_1__33538.1415214503.1280.1280.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 153px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1940px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D723690956633044549%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2503687111709918169%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-buaXcymCVrU%2FVVYu0c1NDnI%2FAAAAAAAAAcM%2FUGJEq61QMEI%2Fs640%2FIMG_4953.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 140px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2766px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D723690956633044549%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2503687111709918169%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-buaXcymCVrU%2FVVYu0c1NDnI%2FAAAAAAAAAcM%2FUGJEq61QMEI%2Fs640%2FIMG_4953.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 140px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2766px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Lauren D'Oraziohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024078889370732059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-66340351023613473052015-04-20T05:00:00.000-07:002015-04-20T05:00:04.833-07:00Luca Michael - Our birth story<div style="text-align: center;">
It's hard to believe Luca is already almost 3 weeks old. It doesn't sound like much time at all, somehow these have been the longest days of my life but they also seem to have flown by.</div>
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I probably should have written this sooner, details keep escaping me, but I've been meaning to get Luca's birth story down so I can remember it.</div>
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{Luca Michael - 1 day old}</div>
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My due date was March 27, 2015, but for most of my pregnancy I had it in my head that he would be born on March 21st. The first day of spring just seemed like a nice day to have a baby, plus one week early sounded nice too. My self-imposed due date came and went. And then my actual due date came and went. I'm not sure I was ready for labor but I was definitely ready to no longer be pregnant. </div>
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I was drinking gallons of 3rd trimester tea and red raspberry leaf tea, taking evening primrose oil, taking long walks and doing prenatal yoga - lots of squats! I went to my acupuncturist several times in those last few weeks as well, which I think helped prepare me, and if nothing else, gave me an hour of relaxation.</div>
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My water broke at 8am on March 31st, but I wasn't feeling any contractions. I called my doctor and she said that there was no rush, but to head to the hospital soon. I called Dan at work and told him not to rush, but that he should head home. (He was home in 20 minutes - a record time.) I took a shower and packed a few last minute items and we headed to the hospital. </div>
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We checked in at 9.30am. I didn't start feeling contractions for a couple hours so Dan got us coffee and breakfast at a nearby cafe. And we waited...</div>
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I started feeling contractions in the early afternoon. They checked me around 2pm and told me I was 1 1/2 cm. I held it together, but inside I burst into tears. I knew I wanted an epidural, but didn't want to get it too soon and risk slowing down the labor. Also, I didn't want to be stuck in bed since I thought walking and moving around would help things along.</div>
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After a few hours later, and many more painful contractions later, they checked my again and I was 4cm. The doctor told me that if I wanted an epidural then she would want me to have pitocin too. I was trying to avoid pitocin, so I decided to wait a bit longer and keep moving. Every so often the nurses would monitor my contractions and the baby's heartbeat but other than that I was out of bed and walking around the room.</div>
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By 6pm I couldn't take the pain any longer and asked (begged) for the epidural. An hour and a half later it came. I was 6cm. That epidural was a total game changer. They estimated that the baby wouldn't come before 5 or 6am the next morning and they told us to get some rest. My mom and best friend, Amanda, who had been there with us, left shortly thereafter. We promised to call as soon as anything changed. I was exhausted and looking forward to some sleep.</div>
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An hour or so later, I started feeling a lot of pressure. It felt like my sit bones were bruised like after a spin class with no padded seat. The anesthesiologist came back and gave me a bit more, which helped a little. But I was feeling a lot of pressure pretty regularly, so I called the nurse. She looked at the monitor and said my contractions were getting really close together. They checked me and were shocked to find out that the head was right there. They said we'd start pushing in about 20 minutes. Dan bolted upright from his chair/bed.</div>
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He immediately called my mom and Amanda so they could make it back in time for the birth. The doctor then told me that first births can take up to 3 hours of pushing so she wanted me to prepare myself. That was news to me and I was not at all ready for 3 more hours even with the epidural. </div>
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It may have been the hardest thing I've ever done, but 40 minutes later at 12:46am, Luca was here. Dan and I were both shocked when we saw he was a boy. I had a feeling for most of my pregnancy that we were having a girl and Dan just really believed in my intuition. Dan had even been brainstorming names when we first got to the hospital and he'd only written down girl names. I know you're not supposed to say this, but I really wanted a boy, so I was pretty thrilled.</div>
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When he came out, they immediately put him on my stomach. He didn't make a sound and was a blue / gray color. After a few seconds, when he still didn't cry, they moved him to the warmer and a nurse started rubbing him all over to stimulate him. I'm a bit fuzzy on this part but Amanda and Dan said that there was a lot of talking in low voices and a nurse immediately got on the phone. I just stared at Luca and the nurse with him. I don't know how long it was but it felt like an eternity. I watched his color slowly change from gray to pink and then finally we heard a cry. A huge weight lifted from the room once that cry came.</div>
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They brought him back to me and I just couldn't stop staring. My Dad arrived soon after that. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XikpNu13YxQ/VTMLw7UxBcI/AAAAAAAAAYk/sUG7uhEHWZQ/s1600/IMG_1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XikpNu13YxQ/VTMLw7UxBcI/AAAAAAAAAYk/sUG7uhEHWZQ/s1600/IMG_1564.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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{my parents - Grandpa & Gram}</div>
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Dan called his parents who immediately got in the car and drove an hour and half to meet their grandson. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53i2BBR-pFM/VTML8kQNK5I/AAAAAAAAAYs/SMAp2dWa9bI/s1600/IMG_5088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53i2BBR-pFM/VTML8kQNK5I/AAAAAAAAAYs/SMAp2dWa9bI/s1600/IMG_5088.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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{Dan's parents - Cece and Papa Skip}</div>
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Our parents opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate and Luca was passed around for the next few hours. I don't think he was in the bassinet much at all during our time in the hospital.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fY1FWebbI3I/VTMPN5_GPNI/AAAAAAAAAY4/jEMwkCTot4o/s1600/IMG_5091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fY1FWebbI3I/VTMPN5_GPNI/AAAAAAAAAY4/jEMwkCTot4o/s1600/IMG_5091.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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We were anxious to get home and thankfully both Luca and I were given a clean bill of health and my doctor discharged us the next afternoon.<br />
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I know I may be speaking too soon but aside from a couple really tough days in the beginning, Luca has been an absolute angel. I feel like I may have wished him into being.<br />
I really can't believe he's ours.</div>
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/surviving_first_trimester/set?.embedder=2196092&.svc=copypaste&id=145435453" target="_blank"><img alt="Surviving the first trimester" border="0" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/QFhZvQns6uvmhA3txKj3w/cid/145435453/id/JlH1IMiW5BGDbNgStvvecw/size/c600x630.jpg" height="630" title="Surviving the first trimester" width="600" /></a></div>
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As I head into my third trimester, I wanted to jot down my favorite items so far for my pregnancy. There was a lot of trial and error to find what worked for me. </div>
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My first and second trimesters looked very similar, hence the title of this post.<br />
I had morning sickness almost every day until part way though my second trimester. Then it switched to about once a week. <br />
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These are the items that worked best for me:<br />
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<i>Morning sickness:</i></div>
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Breakfast - I wouldn't normally eat breakfast first thing in the morning. But very early on in my pregnancy I found that I needed to eat something before I left for work to help curb the nausea (and then usually when I got to work as well). Oatmeal with raisins and chia seeds was perfect for me. Comfort foods seemed to work best for me and oatmeal helped me to stay full. And chia seeds are SO GOOD for you especially during your pregnancy.</div>
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<a href="http://earthmamaangelbaby.com/" target="_blank">Earth Mama Angel Baby</a> - I am in love with these products! My mom gave me the <a href="http://earthmamaangelbaby.com/products/a-little-something-for-mama-to-be" target="_blank">Mama-To-Be kit</a> and I have loved everything in it. The <a href="http://earthmamaangelbaby.com/products/organic-morning-wellness-tea" target="_blank">morning wellness tea</a> was one of the only teas I could drink when I was nauseous. The <a href="http://earthmamaangelbaby.com/products/organic-heartburn-tea" target="_blank">heartburn tea</a> and <a href="http://earthmamaangelbaby.com/products/organic-peaceful-mama-tea" target="_blank">peaceful mama</a> teas are great too. The <a href="http://earthmamaangelbaby.com/products/happy-mama-spray" target="_blank">Happy Mama spray</a> is so refreshing. And I love the <a href="http://earthmamaangelbaby.com/products/earth-mama-body-butter" target="_blank">body butter</a> and <a href="http://earthmamaangelbaby.com/products/natural-stretch-oil" target="_blank">stretch oil</a>.<br />
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Trader Joe's ginger chews - A friend recommended these to me for nausea before I even got pregnant. They help my nausea from migraines. I have been really turned off from sweets during this pregnancy so they didn't work great for me. But for others with a sweet tooth, they could be good.<br />
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Zofran - I don't love taking medication every day, but I would not have made it to work during my first trimester had I not had a prescription for Zofran. I take this for migraines too and it works incredibly quickly. <br />
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Water - Staying hydrated is definitely hard when dealing with morning sickness. Normally, I like room temperature water but drinking it made me feel ill. For a couple weeks early on, I didn't drink any water whatsoever because it just didn't sound good. I finally figured out that if I loaded it with ice I couldn't get enough. I have a large starbucks tumbler that I fill up multiple times per day. </div>
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<i>Health:</i><br />
Vitamins - The Honest Company now has <a href="https://www.honest.com/health-and-wellness/prenatal-complete-one-a-day" target="_blank">one-a-day prenatal vitamins</a> which is so amazing. They have never upset my stomach, even if I after eaten yet. I had been taking their three-a-day ones since before getting pregnant, but that became difficult with the morning sickness. On days when the morning sickness was pretty bad, I took gummy prenatals that I found at Whole Foods.<br />
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Books - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Pregnancy-Week-7th/dp/0738214647/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420564046&sr=8-1&keywords=pregnancy+by+week" target="_blank">Your Pregnancy week-by-week</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Praying-Through-Pregnancy-Week-Week/dp/0800725646" target="_blank">Praying Through Your Pregnancy</a> showed up on my doorstep after I told a sweet friend about our pregnancy. Both books have been incredibly informative and invaluable to me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/american-health-products-super-papaya-enzyme-plus-360-chewable-tablets/ah-1058#.VKxh_VrXhOF" target="_blank">Chewable Papaya Enzymes</a> - A few times during my second trimester I had a couple nights of heartburn. My acupuncturist recommended eating <a href="http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/american-health-products-super-papaya-enzyme-plus-360-chewable-tablets/ah-1058#.VKxh_VrXhOF" target="_blank">Chewable Papaya Enzymes</a> after meals and I haven't had any trouble since! I found them at Whole Foods.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ovuline.com/ovia-pregnancy" target="_blank">Ovia</a> App - There are tons of pregnancy apps out there. I've been really happy with <a href="http://www.ovuline.com/ovia-pregnancy" target="_blank">Ovia</a>. It has a really easy to use food safety guide, that I've used quite frequently when we're out at restaurants.<br />
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<i>Sleep:</i><br />
<a href="http://www.bumpnest.com/pregnancy-body-pillow/" target="_blank">Bump nest pillow</a> - I not usually a fan of household items that only have one specific task, like we don't have an apple slicer or a mango peeler, etc. I swore during my pregnancy I would try not to buy things that were impractical and could be used for only a couple months. I remember specifically thinking I would never buy a pregnancy pillow. We have so many pillows in our house, I figured surrounding myself with them would be just as good (and free!). A few weeks into my second trimester, I was waking up throughout the night uncomfortable or on my back, which made me nervous. I ordered the <a href="http://www.bumpnest.com/pregnancy-body-pillow/" target="_blank">bump nest pillow</a> and I have never looked back. It is well worth the $100 price tag.<br />
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<i>Snacks:</i><br />
Snacks - I could go from full to ravenous in what felt like minutes, especially early in my pregnancy. Having snacks near was great and helped with morning sickness too. Finding healthy ones I wanted to eat proved difficult though. I looked for protein, calcium and things that would keep me full. Some of my favorites - trail mix from Trader Joe's or I made my own at Whole Foods, hard-boiled eggs, string cheese, yogurt, <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/menu/food/bistro-boxes/cheese-and-fruit-bistro-box" target="_blank">bistro boxes</a> from Starbucks. I haven't had many cravings, more food aversions than anything, but I have craved super cold orange slices and homemade limeade or lemonade.<br />
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<i>Wear:</i><br />
<a href="http://www.ingridandisabel.com/shop/bellaband/1011-bellaband" target="_blank">Bella band</a> - This was a life saver when my pants were starting to get a bit tight from all the snacking but I wasn't yet big enough to wear maternity clothes. I'm expecting to wear this again after pregnancy to transition back into my non-maternity jeans.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blanqi.com/products/maternity-overbust-high-performance-belly-support-tank-top" target="_blank">Blanqi tank</a> - Every pregnant woman needs a <a href="http://www.blanqi.com/products/maternity-overbust-high-performance-belly-support-tank-top" target="_blank">blanqi support tank</a>! I have worn mine every single day of my pregnancy since purchasing it. It is a bit pricey, but it is so worth it. I can not say enough good things about it. Every one of my pregnant friends in the future will be getting one. A huge thanks to my sweet friend Morgan who sent me a second one when I told her I was wearing it every day and washing it on Sunday's :) They also offer another <a href="http://www.blanqi.com/products/maternity-underbust-high-performance-belly-support-tank" target="_blank">tank</a> that has "ultra-support". I loved the support of this one, but the top just didn't fit me right.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ingridandisabel.com/shop/nursing/1229-seamless-crossover-nursing-bra" target="_blank">Seamless crossover bra</a> - I started sleeping in seamless bras early in my pregnancy. It was just so much more comfortable and underwire was not my friend. <a href="http://www.ingridandisabel.com/shop/nursing/1229-seamless-crossover-nursing-bra" target="_blank">This one</a> is great, because I should be able to use it for nursing after.<br />
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Hope this helps!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">~LMD</span>
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Lauren D'Oraziohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024078889370732059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-61896558125684216982014-11-18T09:02:00.002-08:002014-11-18T09:02:39.983-08:00Weekend in Carmel - Point Lobos<div style="text-align: center;">
I posted last week about <a href="http://champagnereveries.blogspot.com/2014/11/weekend-in-carmel-babymoon.html" target="_blank">our mini babymoon weekend in Carmel</a>. </div>
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On one of the days Dan spent a few hours with his best friend and old roommate watching college football. After a rather large breakfast at <a href="http://www.laplayahotel.com/" target="_blank">La Playa Hotel</a>, I decided to skip football and go for a walk. {The hotel had made-to-order waffle and omelet bars and I tried both!}</div>
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Just 10 minutes south of downtown Carmel is Point Lobos. We spend a lot of time in Carmel but I'd never been there and after seeing <a href="http://www.marshallsabroad.com/2014/09/sunday-in-point-lobos.html" target="_blank">a post on Amanda's blog</a>, I knew I had to go. Funny, how sometimes it takes a newbie to the area to show you something new about a place you've been a million times before.</div>
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I stuck to some pretty easy trails that led straight out to the water and just spent an hour or so there. </div>
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Hikes like this always make me feel so lucky I live in California. It's just so pretty here! </div>
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When I have more time, I'll definitely head back to some of the longer trails.</div>
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~LMD</div>
Lauren D'Oraziohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024078889370732059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-12598313691896575162014-11-10T09:44:00.000-08:002014-11-10T09:44:08.486-08:00Weekend in Carmel - Babymoon<div style="text-align: center;">
A few weekends ago we attended the wedding of some very close friends in Carmel. Since I absolutely adore Carmel, we decided to make a long weekend of it and call it our babymoon. Hopefully, we'll have a couple weekend mini-babymoons :)</div>
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We stayed at <a href="http://www.laplayahotel.com/" target="_blank">La Playa Carmel</a> in downtown Carmel which was amazing. It's walking distance to the adorable downtown and beach. We had an ocean view room so we left the windows open and woke up to the sounds of the ocean. </div>
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The grounds of the hotel were absolutely gorgeous. </div>
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Sunday morning we woke up and took a walk through the neighborhood and to the beach.</div>
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The homes in downtown Carmel are some of my favorites. They look like they could be straight out of a fairytale.</div>
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And it helps that they're just a couple blocks from the beach.</div>
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{18/19 weeks pregnant and after a very large and very delicious breakfast at La Playa Carmel}</div>
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The best part of the weekend was celebrating the marriage of these two at their gorgeous wedding and rehearsal dinner. </div>
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The rehearsal dinner was held at the grooms tasting room <a href="http://www.caracciolicellars.com/" target="_blank">Caraccioli Cellars</a> in downtown Carmel. A place not to be missed! </div>
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~LMD</div>
Lauren D'Oraziohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024078889370732059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-50279304457504320162014-09-29T09:47:00.000-07:002014-09-29T09:47:55.599-07:00One year later...<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday was our first wedding anniversary. We spent it driving 9 hours home from Oregon where we had spent the last few days at our friends' gorgeous wedding. </div>
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We also announced some exciting news to our family and friends.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LMD</span></div>
Lauren D'Oraziohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024078889370732059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-60913330136347493892014-05-14T09:07:00.001-07:002014-05-14T09:07:15.117-07:00Strawberry Oat Muffins {recipe}<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;">We hosted Mother's Day this weekend, and I'm starting to realize you end up with loads of leftovers when hosting. I really dislike letting food go to waste. So last night after making a delicious crust-less quiche thrown together from all our leftovers {recipe to come!}, I saw the flat of strawberries in our fridge and knew I had to figure out something to do with them.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbrqOwfyyWc/U3OTVrh50yI/AAAAAAAAANQ/ovJiiyV4Eso/s1600/StrawberryMuffins1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbrqOwfyyWc/U3OTVrh50yI/AAAAAAAAANQ/ovJiiyV4Eso/s1600/StrawberryMuffins1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;">Amanda's <a href="http://www.marshallsabroad.com/2013/07/blueberry-lemon-yogurt-muffins-with.html" target="_blank">recipe</a> has been my go to muffin recipe of late. I switch it up depending on what fruit I have on hand and I've been substituting the olive oil with <a href="http://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-extra-virgin-certified-organic-coconut-oil-54-fl-oz-21" target="_blank">coconut oil</a> that gives them a much more decadent taste.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;">I love flipping through Marina's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Yummy-Mummy-Kitchen-Irresistible/dp/0062213555" target="_blank">recipe book</a> and saw a muffin recipe with rolled oats, found them in my pantry and decided to give it a go. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gItlRFPWPq0/U3OTViHzsaI/AAAAAAAAANg/hfFR4s514Kw/s1600/StrawberryMuffins2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gItlRFPWPq0/U3OTViHzsaI/AAAAAAAAANg/hfFR4s514Kw/s1600/StrawberryMuffins2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;">These muffins were quite possibly the best I've ever made. I'm disappointed I only made 1 batch.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Strawberry Oat Muffins</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">{makes about 1 dozen}</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;">inspired by and adapted from </span></i><i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.marshallsabroad.com/" target="_blank">Amanda</a></span></i><i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;"> and </span></i><i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.yummymummykitchen.com/" target="_blank">Marina</a></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13pt;">1 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13pt;">1/2 cup rolled oats</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13pt;">1 1/2 </span></i><i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13pt;">teaspoon</span></i><i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13pt;"> baking powder</span></i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13pt;">1/2 teaspoon sea salt</span></i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13pt;">1 teaspoon cinnamon</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">1 egg</span></i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">1/2 cup coconut oil</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">1/2 cup greek yogurt </span></i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">1 cup raw sugar</span></i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13pt;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">2 cup fresh strawberries, chopped</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">raw sugar, for sprinkling on top</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13pt;">It's best to make this recipe by hand instead of using a stand mixer. Your muffins will come out lighter and fluffier that way.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Directions</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Preheat over to 400 degrees F.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">In large bowl combine flour, rolled oats, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">In a </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">separate</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> bowl, w</span></span></i><i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">hisk the egg with melted coconut oil (make sure the oil isn't too hot or it will cook the egg). Stir in the greek yogurt. Add sugar and vanilla and mix until combined.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour wet ingredients into it. Using a rubber spatula, give it 3 stirs. Add in chopped strawberries (less 1/8 cup), and stir until batter is just barely combined. Some dry flour may be visible - that's okay! You don't want to over mix.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Fill a greased muffin pan {lined or not} with the batter to the top for each cup. Place the remaining strawberries on top of each muffin and gently push into the batter. Generously sprinkle raw sugar over the top of each muffin.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Place in 400 degree F oven. Turn oven down to 375 degrees F and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top and a cake tester or toothpick comes out dry. </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">If using liners, immediately remove them from the pan and place them on a cooling rack. Otherwise let them sit a minute or two in the pan and then place on a cooling rack.</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">{Placing in a hotter oven will help the muffins rise, giving you a lighter fluffier muffin.}</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Enjoy!</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gr0YW81JXcY/U3OTVh2vVSI/AAAAAAAAANk/lrPCXDUOke8/s1600/StrawberryMuffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gr0YW81JXcY/U3OTVh2vVSI/AAAAAAAAANk/lrPCXDUOke8/s1600/StrawberryMuffins.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: #554637; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">~LMD</span></span></i></div>
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I've been using vitacost for most of my grocery needs lately. You can get $10 off your order through <a href="https://www.vitacostrewards.com/kmEd4Mk" target="_blank">this link</a>. **I get $10 too :) I promise you'll love it!</div>
Lauren D'Oraziohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024078889370732059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-45337111958561089442014-04-24T09:41:00.000-07:002014-04-30T12:57:11.537-07:00Easter 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
I have a pinterest board named '<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/lmf369/this-is-the-dream-i-m-working-on/" target="_blank">this is the dream I'm working on</a>'. I was inspired to create it after reading posts from <a href="http://www.sarah-tucker.com/2012/11/this-is-dream-i.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://laracasey.com/2013/01/07/goal-setting-making-things-happen-in-2013-part-5/" target="_blank">here</a>. I love finding pins that belong on this board. I'm probably even a bit too discerning with what I'll pin to it.</div>
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Last weekend we hosted Easter for our families. This was the first party we've hosted together, the first as a married couple, and the first time having everyone over to our new home. Both our our mothers are amazing hostesses and amazing cooks. Needless to say, I was a bit nervous.</div>
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By no small miracle, all of the food was ready at the same time. </div>
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Dan and I were seated next to each other at the head of the table. </div>
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I had the perfect view of our families around the table.<br />
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{OUR EASTER TABLE}<br />
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There was a moment at dinner where everyone was talking and eating and laughing, </div>
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I sat back and looked around the table and had overwhelming feelings of contentment and joy. </div>
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<b>I was right smack in the middle of a life that I had dreamed of. </b></div>
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I paused for a few moments and let myself experience it; hopefully locking away that image, feeling incredibly grateful and then jumped right back in to eating and laughing with our families.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LMD</span></div>
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Lauren D'Oraziohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024078889370732059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-56257833126868052172013-12-20T11:52:00.000-08:002013-12-20T11:52:38.334-08:00Happy Holiday's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1v5_8fInfo/UrSfrNedr0I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/vbir4R68nc8/s1600/2013+Holiday+card+-+front.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1v5_8fInfo/UrSfrNedr0I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/vbir4R68nc8/s640/2013+Holiday+card+-+front.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Lauren D'Oraziohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024078889370732059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-7308812593322366832013-12-11T05:03:00.000-08:002013-12-11T05:03:00.469-08:00Christmas morning breakfast menu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For as long as I can remember we've had the same thing on Christmas morning. It's funny, we all love this breakfast, but for some reason we only make it once a year.</div>
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What I love about it is that both dishes are made the night before so that the morning you (or in my case, my Dad) gets up first and pops them in the oven. I'm usually sitting by the tree going through my stocking when this happens - yes, I still get a stocking :)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7B8H-m-0L8/UQlXE-Is28I/AAAAAAAAF3g/8Oi66O09yYw/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7B8H-m-0L8/UQlXE-Is28I/AAAAAAAAF3g/8Oi66O09yYw/s640/IMG_1902.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Spinach strada</span></div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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- 6 croissants, cut in half lengthwise (you may not use all of them depending on the size</div>
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- 6 eggs, room temperature</div>
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- 1 1/2 cups milk, whole or skim (I wouldn't use nonfat) </div>
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- 1/2 tsp salt</div>
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- 1/4 tsp pepper</div>
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- 1/4 tsp nutmeg</div>
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- 1 package frozen spinach, thawed and well drained</div>
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- 1 1/2 cups (6 oz) shredded monterey jack cheese (optional - pepper jack cheese for a bit of a kick)</div>
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- 7 oz crumbled feta cheese</div>
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- optional - mushrooms, thinly sliced and then roughly chopped</div>
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Directions:</div>
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Place croissants crust side down in lightly greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Sprinkle spinach out evenly over croissants (if using mushrooms, add at this time). In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg. Pour egg mixture over spinach and croissants. Press croissants down so that liquid can soak into them a bit. Sprinkle cheeses evenly over strada. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.</div>
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take strada out of the fridge and let come to room temperature, about 15-20 minutes. Uncover and bake 40-45 minutes. If cheese gets too dark too quickly, cover with foil while baking. Serve warm. This is even better the next day or for brunch with a big green salad.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bubble bread</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(also known as monkey bread)</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span></div>
- 1 package frozen white dinner rolls, thawed<br />
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- 1 box (4 oz) butterscotch pudding (not instant)</div>
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- 1/4 cup white sugar</div>
- 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"> - 2 tsp cinnamon</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> - 1 cube butter, melted</span></div>
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- optional - chopped pecans</div>
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Cut dinner rolls into 2-3 pieces each. Mix pudding, sugars, cinnamon and nuts. Sprinkle a bit of the sugar mixture on the bottom of a lightly greased bundt pan. Dip each piece of dough in melted butter and roll in sugar mixture. Place dough in pan. Sprinkle with remaining sugar and pour remaining butter over rolls. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.</div>
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Remove bubble bread from fridge 30 minutes before baking. Leave covered and in a warm place to allow the rolls to rise. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Uncover and bake 35-45 minutes. Cover with foil if top browns to quickly. Let stand in pan for about 10 minutes. Place plate upside down on bundt pan and flip over. Tap bundt pan if bread doesn't fall immediately. Serve warm and with lots of napkins.</div>
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</span><br />
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Hope your Christmas morning is filled with family, friends and yummy, delicious food!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">LMF</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-10840408082253192222013-11-07T11:02:00.000-08:002013-11-07T16:24:22.914-08:00thankful<div style="text-align: center;">
I love that there's a time dedicated each year to focus on being thankful.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I started <a href="http://champagnereveries.blogspot.com/2012/04/inspired.html" target="_blank">this list</a> over a year ago and although (technically) I didn't meet my goal of 1,000 things, I more than met my goal of noticing and being grateful for life's everyday gifts that sometimes we are too busy / too tired / too stressed to notice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Since starting that challenge, daily something jumps out at me that I am thankful for - whether it's a phone call from a friend to keep me company on my commute home or the gorgeous pink sky at dusk (<i>I'm a sucker for a pink sky</i>).<br />
<br />
Of course, those things happened before, I just didn't always take notice of truly what a gift they were.</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RE80VOpU1Gs/UnvbMW19YcI/AAAAAAAAAHw/UQdidynxMRg/s1600/gratitude-changes-everything.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RE80VOpU1Gs/UnvbMW19YcI/AAAAAAAAAHw/UQdidynxMRg/s1600/gratitude-changes-everything.png" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I am constantly reminded that <i>gratitude</i> mostly definitely changes everything.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So for this month I'm hoping to write a weekly list here to help me focus on being thankful for life's big and small gifts that I'm sure I take for granted all too often.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here is my short <i>and very incomplete</i> list for today:</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am grateful for:</div>
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the wonderful man I just married </div>
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<i>(almost 6 weeks as newlyweds)</i></div>
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having so many friends and family that live nearby</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
working for <a href="http://www.rh.com/" target="_blank">a company</a> I love</div>
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living near the ocean</div>
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a morning cup of hot coffee</div>
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leg warmers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sweater weather</div>
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<br /></div>
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What are you grateful for?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span></div>
Lauren D'Oraziohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024078889370732059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-19553357196528574322013-11-01T05:30:00.000-07:002013-11-01T05:30:02.519-07:00chocolate pumpkin bread {recipe}<div style="text-align: center;">
I was looking for two things when I decided to make pumpkin bread:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 - I wanted to use one whole can of pumpkin purée </div>
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Seriously, what do people do with the leftovers in the can from most recipes?</div>
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<br /></div>
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2 - I wanted something that both the adults and kids would like at last weekends <a href="http://champagnereveries.blogspot.com/2013/10/sleepovers.html" target="_blank">sleepover</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ivsSYQezkg/UnLfptbn9iI/AAAAAAAAAHM/7ZgRYV-vJfk/s1600/IMG_3972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ivsSYQezkg/UnLfptbn9iI/AAAAAAAAAHM/7ZgRYV-vJfk/s640/IMG_3972.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This totally delivered on both.</div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chocolate pumpkin bread</span><br />
yield: 2 loaves + 12 mini muffins<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</div>
<div>
- 1 tbs cinnamon</div>
<div>
- 1 tbs nutmeg</div>
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- 2 tsp baking soda</div>
<div>
- 1 1/2 tsp salt</div>
<div>
- 3 cups sugar</div>
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- 1 (15oz) can pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)</div>
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- 1 cup canola oil</div>
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- 2/3 cup water</div>
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- 1 tbs vanilla paste</div>
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- 4 large eggs</div>
<div>
- 1 cup chocolate pieces (I used 72% dark because then I can pretend it's healthy)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Muffin topping - I stole this from <a href="http://www.marshallsabroad.com/2013/07/blueberry-lemon-yogurt-muffins-with.html" target="_blank">Amanda</a> and now keep a cinnamon sugar mixture in my baking supplies to add to all my muffins</div>
<div>
- 1 tsp cinnamon</div>
<div>
- 1 tbs raw sugar<br />
- chocolate pieces, chopped</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Directions</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Preheat over to 350 degrees F. Spray pans with cooking spray.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Chop chocolate chips and set aside. I like to chop them so that there are some really fine pieces and some big chucks.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. In separate bowl or stand-mixer, combine all of the rest of the ingredients, except the chocolate. <br />
<br />
Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients 1 cup at a time. Mix just until combined. Gently fold in chocolate pieces. <br />
<br />
Pour batter into muffin tins; I fill them almost to the top. Evenly distribute the rest of the batter between 2 loaf pans.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Bake loaves for 55-60 minutes and mini muffins for approximately 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.</div>
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<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span></div>
Lauren D'Oraziohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024078889370732059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-76489060585582371892013-10-29T11:36:00.001-07:002013-11-07T09:37:20.447-08:00sleepover<div style="text-align: center;">
I went to a sleepover party last weekend.</div>
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I forgot how little sleep you actually get at a sleepover, especially with six little girl ranging from four to seven years old.<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzwLX92MlIo/Um_33RadKwI/AAAAAAAAAGA/VVoG-k8DPSo/s1600/makeup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzwLX92MlIo/Um_33RadKwI/AAAAAAAAAGA/VVoG-k8DPSo/s640/makeup1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it was still so much fun.<br />
<br />
The party included a trip to a friends' farm, hot tubbing, makeovers, mani's & pedi's, pizza and cupcakes and a movie. It was exhausting!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJqWJ82wLN0/Um_1jDU88TI/AAAAAAAAAFs/mg4O0UCqLFo/s1600/makeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJqWJ82wLN0/Um_1jDU88TI/AAAAAAAAAFs/mg4O0UCqLFo/s640/makeup.jpg" width="628" /></a></div>
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<br />
I think all of us "adults" (<i>I use this term very loosely to describe me and my friends</i>)<br />
thought we would do the girls makeovers and paint their nails. <br />
<br />
But they took it upon themselves to put it on each other. <br />
And it was so sweet to watch them together.<br />
<br />
A little heartbreaking too. They just looked so grown-up!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CDuH-2r27-Q/Um_3gncr6VI/AAAAAAAAAF4/MORAdS1Tmj4/s1600/makeup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CDuH-2r27-Q/Um_3gncr6VI/AAAAAAAAAF4/MORAdS1Tmj4/s640/makeup2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I think we all got a little glimpse into the future.<br />
It definitely looks pretty! :)<br />
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span></div>
</div>
Lauren D'Oraziohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024078889370732059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-1505669584803483842013-10-23T05:30:00.000-07:002013-11-07T09:37:37.568-08:00blueberry scones {recipe}<div style="text-align: center;">
These aren't those rock-hard, dense scones that seem to be readily available here in America. These are flakey and delicious and biscuit-like, similar to the scones I fell in love with in London. I didn't think I even liked scones until I moved to London.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qw-Ob7wbO_Q/UlsTN-0R1BI/AAAAAAAAG-8/Ls1ThyZetCo/s1600/blueberry_scones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qw-Ob7wbO_Q/UlsTN-0R1BI/AAAAAAAAG-8/Ls1ThyZetCo/s640/blueberry_scones.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They were delicious and looked oh so pretty on our new <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-serve-platters/B28328052.jsp?cm_sp=Grid-_-B28328052-_-Regular_5" target="_blank">wedding gift</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zNQXPbXNkHE/UlsWH6YyZiI/AAAAAAAAG_Q/WZCNk6tOhLo/s1600/blueberry_scones2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="565" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zNQXPbXNkHE/UlsWH6YyZiI/AAAAAAAAG_Q/WZCNk6tOhLo/s640/blueberry_scones2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Blueberry scones</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
makes 12 large scones</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>slightly adapted from <a href="http://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/buttermilk-scones" target="_blank">Tartine</a> </i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fEe7cVR48zU/UlsULuNM6VI/AAAAAAAAG_E/7GcRpDicznM/s1600/blueberry_scones1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fEe7cVR48zU/UlsULuNM6VI/AAAAAAAAG_E/7GcRpDicznM/s640/blueberry_scones1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Ingredients</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- 4 3/4 cups flour + more for work surface</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- 1 tbsp baking powder</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- 3/4 tsp baking soda</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- 1 1/4 tsp salt</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- 1 cup and 1 tbsp unsalted butter, very cold and cubed</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- 1 cup buttermilk</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- 1 cup milk</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- 1 tsp lemon zest</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups blueberries (depending on how berry-ful you like your scones - I like a lot)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Topping</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- 3 tbsp butter, melted (if you don't want to add more butter, you can use skim milk instead)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- raw sugar for sprinkling</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Directions</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sift the flour, baking powder, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Mix in sugar and salt. Using a <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/stainless-steel-pastry-blender/" target="_blank">pastry blender</a> (or a fork) cut the butter into the dry ingredients. You want to end up with pea-sized pieces of butter throughout the mixture.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Add buttermilk, milk, lemon zest and blueberries all at once and gently mix together until dough forms. If dough appears too dry, add a bit more milk.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dust work surface with plenty of flour. Pat dough into a rectangle approximately 18 inches long, 5 inches wide and 1 1/2 inches thick. Brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar. Cut into 12 large triangles and place on baking sheet. It's okay if they're a bit close together, you can easily cut them apart if they bake together in the oven.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Bake until the tops are lightly golden brown, approximately 25-35 min. Serve immediately. If you want more scones, cut them into smaller triangles and remember to bake them for a bit less time.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Delicious served with honey butter {1 cube butter combined with 2 tbsp honey}.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These were so yummy, I made them again the next weekend with strawberries.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEI1kFrnACU/UlsbP8ypyrI/AAAAAAAAG_o/HeBSbTEawz4/s1600/strawberry_scones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="421" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEI1kFrnACU/UlsbP8ypyrI/AAAAAAAAG_o/HeBSbTEawz4/s640/strawberry_scones.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-71966402474775051152013-10-21T05:30:00.001-07:002013-11-07T09:36:23.284-08:00prosciutto wrapped figs with goat cheese {recipe}<div style="text-align: center;">
A few weekends ago, all the stars aligned, and {almost} all my cousins and my brother were in town from all parts of the country, at the same time.</div>
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We had an impromptu get together at my aunts house and I offered to bring an appetizer.</div>
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I come from a family of bakers and cooks and caterers. Foodies. So it had to be delicious.</div>
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For example, for this impromptu casual sunday lunch, we had the following desserts:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yh8uANnOi20/UlrdNrKAVVI/AAAAAAAAG-Q/Zq8BFhGjjbI/s1600/desserts_aunt_cath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yh8uANnOi20/UlrdNrKAVVI/AAAAAAAAG-Q/Zq8BFhGjjbI/s640/desserts_aunt_cath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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From left to right: <a href="http://thatguywhoknits.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cousin Brian</a>'s brownies - super labor intensive but totally worth it - partly because I've never had to make them myself | Lemon layer cake made by my aunt using <a href="https://www.miette.com/pickup/cakes/lemon-debutante.html" target="_blank">Miette</a>'s recipe | Homemade twinkies</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ltiimUa5x8/UlrgXZEEFSI/AAAAAAAAG-c/3RLnYCd62_s/s1600/lemon_layer_cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ltiimUa5x8/UlrgXZEEFSI/AAAAAAAAG-c/3RLnYCd62_s/s640/lemon_layer_cake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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{last minute dessert thrown together for our casual Sunday lunch}</div>
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Inspired by pins {<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/73535406385174109/" target="_blank">here</a>} and {<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/73535406388745732/" target="_blank">here</a>}, I picked up figs, prosciutto, and goat cheese on the way to my aunts house. I am a big fan of recipes with a short ingredient list and using things fresh and in season. </div>
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<b>Prosciutto wrapped figs with goat cheese</b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kjKPrXxNurc/Ulrn-IR8gSI/AAAAAAAAG-s/ofXK7QIVbuU/s1600/prosciutto_wrapped_figs_with_goat_cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kjKPrXxNurc/Ulrn-IR8gSI/AAAAAAAAG-s/ofXK7QIVbuU/s640/prosciutto_wrapped_figs_with_goat_cheese.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Ingredients</i>:</div>
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- 1 basket of black mission figs, halved</div>
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- 1/2 log of goat cheese {I used Laura Chenel}</div>
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- 1-4oz package of thinly sliced prosciutto {from Trader Joe's}</div>
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- optional: honey for drizzling</div>
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<i>Directions</i>:</div>
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees. </div>
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Scoop a small spoonful of goat cheese on the inside of each halved fig. Wrap each fig half with a small piece of prosciutto and place cheese side up on a cookie sheet. Each slice of prosciutto wrapped about 3-4 fig halves for me. Bake in oven for 8-10 minutes. They are done when the prosciutto gets a bit crispy, but before figs start to lose liquid. Serve immediately. </div>
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If your figs aren't super sweet, you can drizzle with honey before serving. I didn't add honey mainly because they disappeared so quickly once I pulled them out of the oven and they were so good they really didn't need the added sweetness. Notice the few missing figs in the photo above. I couldn't grab my camera fast enough! </div>
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You could also make these ahead of time if your party isn't as casual as mine and you don't want to be working in someone else's kitchen as soon as you arrive. :) Assemble figs beforehand and refrigerate until needed. Let figs come to room temperature before baking. Enjoy!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-1687126867855449902013-10-16T05:30:00.000-07:002013-10-23T08:25:19.181-07:00honeymooning in bora bora - activities<div style="text-align: center;">
Before we left on our honeymoon, my father-in-law asked us, "So what are you guys planning to do in Bora Bora, like are there things to see, places to go...?"</div>
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Our answer: Absolutely nothing. <br />
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Don't get me wrong, I know there are vanilla fields to see and pearl mining excursions. That just wasn't in our plan. Swimming with sharks and manta rays - <i>no way!</i></div>
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We didn't want the sort of vacation where you're up and out of the hotel by a certain time to take in as much as you can. We didn't have to be anywhere by a specific time, except breakfast before 10.30 am (we weren't about to miss that!). We never once set an alarm and instead just let the sun in the morning wake us up.</div>
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That said, we were surprised by how much stuff there was to do; if we ever got bored lounging by the pool and beach {not often}.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tbJNspGogHY/UltJoOViB3I/AAAAAAAAHBo/gTBDJXBRMuo/s1600/IMG_3965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tbJNspGogHY/UltJoOViB3I/AAAAAAAAHBo/gTBDJXBRMuo/s640/IMG_3965.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The hotel had tons of community bikes you could grab anytime for easy transportation around the resort.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hUnCz4dDQ_o/Ul2yHRbkc-I/AAAAAAAAACA/f4mvG65U_Rs/s1600/bora_bora_bikes_by_day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hUnCz4dDQ_o/Ul2yHRbkc-I/AAAAAAAAACA/f4mvG65U_Rs/s640/bora_bora_bikes_by_day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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{biking by day}</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F-qO0WY-5b8/Ul2yH_BxrkI/AAAAAAAAACE/u4V7yEafmQk/s1600/bora_bora_bikes_by_night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F-qO0WY-5b8/Ul2yH_BxrkI/AAAAAAAAACE/u4V7yEafmQk/s640/bora_bora_bikes_by_night.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
{and by night - that's a glass of champagne in his hand from dinner}<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pKKfH6q_Ak/Ul281llQBBI/AAAAAAAAADQ/LnlXRKmKDcI/s1600/bora_bora_fish2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pKKfH6q_Ak/Ul281llQBBI/AAAAAAAAADQ/LnlXRKmKDcI/s640/bora_bora_fish2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
{hanging with the fish}<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWrrtMgQVf8/Ul27MD14PUI/AAAAAAAAADE/Gc3nTDq4HkE/s1600/bora_bora_fish1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWrrtMgQVf8/Ul27MD14PUI/AAAAAAAAADE/Gc3nTDq4HkE/s640/bora_bora_fish1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
{a little perspective - check out the sea urchin in both photos - that's a seriously <i>big</i> fish!}<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwR83blRJVE/Ul3YeHaC7NI/AAAAAAAAAEU/CV-Pxx_Qlxk/s1600/matching_in_bora_bora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwR83blRJVE/Ul3YeHaC7NI/AAAAAAAAAEU/CV-Pxx_Qlxk/s640/matching_in_bora_bora.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
{we did a bit of people watching}<span id="goog_1680896138"></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5y91s4oM6AM/Ul222eKya7I/AAAAAAAAAC8/qsg2K4NHwlU/s1600/bora_bora_underwater3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5y91s4oM6AM/Ul222eKya7I/AAAAAAAAAC8/qsg2K4NHwlU/s640/bora_bora_underwater3.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
My aunt lent us her underwater camera, that was so much fun.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NClIrhdBZ7M/Ul221BQXlFI/AAAAAAAAACw/DpXXsJMmjW0/s1600/bora_bora_underwater1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NClIrhdBZ7M/Ul221BQXlFI/AAAAAAAAACw/DpXXsJMmjW0/s640/bora_bora_underwater1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9gOzjghuVj4/Ul2204yZ1HI/AAAAAAAAACs/THNuDUdFN7E/s1600/bora_bora_underwater2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9gOzjghuVj4/Ul2204yZ1HI/AAAAAAAAACs/THNuDUdFN7E/s640/bora_bora_underwater2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HL0VowYwcZA/Ul221fQk5FI/AAAAAAAAACo/vQ7iSUu_YWU/s1600/bora_bora_underwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HL0VowYwcZA/Ul221fQk5FI/AAAAAAAAACo/vQ7iSUu_YWU/s640/bora_bora_underwater.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
{I count a photo shoot in the pool as an activity.}<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RKfERbmEVk/Ul3PWzAeCXI/AAAAAAAAADw/f1bR5Jkb50o/s1600/bora_bora_paddleboarding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RKfERbmEVk/Ul3PWzAeCXI/AAAAAAAAADw/f1bR5Jkb50o/s640/bora_bora_paddleboarding.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
{paddle boarding - don't let anyone fool you, this is so much easier than it looks}<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NOgsY9Ccwn0/Ul3EcqMtfqI/AAAAAAAAADg/23bX2Qg7Sd4/s1600/bora_bora_kayaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NOgsY9Ccwn0/Ul3EcqMtfqI/AAAAAAAAADg/23bX2Qg7Sd4/s640/bora_bora_kayaking.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
{kayaking}<br />
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Probably the most fun we had on the trip was the jet-skiing tour around the island. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kfmU_i6ubpY/Ul3Uu3Xy2kI/AAAAAAAAAEE/pcOu_g73Y-M/s1600/bora_bora_jetski1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kfmU_i6ubpY/Ul3Uu3Xy2kI/AAAAAAAAAEE/pcOu_g73Y-M/s640/bora_bora_jetski1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We stopped off half-way through to switch drivers (I declined), eating fresh coconut and to swim for a bit.<br />
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{this me enjoying the coconut and the view}<br />
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Does eating count as an activity? More on that later.<br />
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See more of Bora Bora <a href="http://champagnereveries.blogspot.com/2013/10/honeymooning-in-bora-bora.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-31339364440077166522013-10-14T05:30:00.000-07:002013-10-13T20:41:18.445-07:00honeymooning in bora bora<div style="text-align: center;">
"Holy sh*t!, this place looks like a sceensaver," said Jon Favreau's character in Couples Retreat. And I cannot think of a better description. It was like something out of a dream<br />
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Sometimes when traveling, the photos you see online of destinations tend to be a bit better than the reality {thank you, photoshop}. But not here. Bora Bora was so much more beautiful in person than the photos we saw online. It was quite literally paradise.</div>
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We took three planes and a boat to get to the resort. Door to door it was about 18 hours of travel and <i>completely</i> worth it.<br />
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{the view from our bed}<br />
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Honestly, I had no idea these shades of blue existed naturally, without paint or the touch of digital enhancement.<br />
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{morning coffee}</div>
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{yep, that's a shark}</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hmroc2vCygc/UltOEMfy9rI/AAAAAAAAHCE/k3lZt1xyj6k/s1600/IMG_4118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="421" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hmroc2vCygc/UltOEMfy9rI/AAAAAAAAHCE/k3lZt1xyj6k/s640/IMG_4118.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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{this photo is straight out of my canon rebel- isn't that color amazing?!}<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-u6kCaiUj4/UltNTMKbDvI/AAAAAAAAHB8/SpGKxxGRs2g/s1600/IMG_3887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-u6kCaiUj4/UltNTMKbDvI/AAAAAAAAHB8/SpGKxxGRs2g/s640/IMG_3887.jpg" width="473" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-15687568852895545462013-09-30T08:07:00.000-07:002013-11-21T08:27:30.673-08:00Our St. Helena weekend wedding<div style="text-align: center;">
We did it! We're married! </div>
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It's such a cliché, but the day really flew by so fast. </div>
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I'm trying my best to hold on to and remember every detail.</div>
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My friend, and our fabulous photographer, left our wedding and immediately sent us a photo from the day. Seriously, how awesome is that?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvAAJDTb3rQ/UkmQJwg6SsI/AAAAAAAAG-A/y-Qw5fElr_Q/s1600/1278808_10202166400951884_507422084_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvAAJDTb3rQ/UkmQJwg6SsI/AAAAAAAAG-A/y-Qw5fElr_Q/s640/1278808_10202166400951884_507422084_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What a perfect moment she was able to capture. I am beyond grateful.<br />
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And beyond grateful to that man in the photo above, for marrying me. <br />
I truly don't know how I got so lucky.</div>
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Why am I online 2 days after our wedding Well, due to some commitments at work, I wasn't able to take a ton of time off. But there was just enough time to get married and have a fabulous week-long honeymoon in Bora Bora, and for that I am grateful.</div>
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We leave tomorrow night. </div>
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See you in a week!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-25055368564677879412013-09-26T08:23:00.000-07:002013-09-26T08:23:46.647-07:00wishing your life away<div style="text-align: center;">
I've had so many things to look forward to these past few weeks: my bridal shower, friends weddings, our wedding in two days, our honeymoon...and many things unrelated to weddings too.</div>
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I find myself saying, "I can't wait 'til it's the weekend." Or "I can't wait 'til our honeymoon." </div>
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Like, I just wish it would get here faster.</div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0e/0e/2d/0e0e2d5e84a0c60109f68ffaaf3e7a3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0e/0e/2d/0e0e2d5e84a0c60109f68ffaaf3e7a3b.jpg" /></a></div>
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Whenever a phase like that goes through my head, I hear my mom say, </div>
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"Don't wish your life away, Lauren." </div>
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I don't think I really understood what that meant when she first started saying that to me.</div>
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But I do now. </div>
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Today is my first day off work for our wedding this weekend. My mom and I are having mani / pedi's together, picking out the flowers for the bouquets, and making candy as thank you gifts for the vendors that we're working with on Saturday. And that is all I'm going to think about.</div>
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Today, I am wishing that it is today.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span> </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">image <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/101190322850938455/" target="_blank">via</a></span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-1210223470271300012013-09-23T06:00:00.000-07:002013-09-23T06:00:01.074-07:00fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vqJAO2DsuMA/UjnoZeknzrI/AAAAAAAAG9k/Cb30kQEhR8k/s1600/fall.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vqJAO2DsuMA/UjnoZeknzrI/AAAAAAAAG9k/Cb30kQEhR8k/s1600/fall.png" /></a></div>
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{<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>image <a href="http://champagnereveries.tumblr.com/post/61596260847" target="_blank">via</a> | words via Jim Bishop</i></span>}</div>
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It's officially fall.</div>
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I've always loved this season. </div>
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I loved the start of the new school year - shopping for school supplies and new school clothes. </div>
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Fall was one of my favorite seasons in Paris too. The tree-lined streets were gorgeous. </div>
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And Northern California doesn't disappoint. I love the colors of the vineyards during this season. Plus I'm a sweater weather kinda girl. And this is the month where San Francisco really shines.</div>
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But now, even more so, this season, September to be exact, may be my new favorite going forward. </div>
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I marry this guy in five days.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KimaqEVzAZ0/UjntPWsJMgI/AAAAAAAAG9w/F5D5qENhr8A/s1600/paris_kiss.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KimaqEVzAZ0/UjntPWsJMgI/AAAAAAAAG9w/F5D5qENhr8A/s640/paris_kiss.png" width="426" /></a></div>
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{<a href="http://champagnereveries.blogspot.com/2012/09/paris.html" target="_blank">paris - september 2012</a>}</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LMF(D)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-53840017428688561552013-09-12T05:30:00.000-07:002013-09-18T10:38:58.717-07:00tahoe weekend wedding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y57_ykOT37w/UjExsiD7AdI/AAAAAAAAG8c/7rweMsOGTbk/s1600/tahoe+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y57_ykOT37w/UjExsiD7AdI/AAAAAAAAG8c/7rweMsOGTbk/s640/tahoe+beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We drove up to Lake Tahoe this weekend to watch some amazing people become an even more amazing couple.</div>
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It was a gorgeous wedding overlooking the beach with a gorgeous mountain backdrop. Even more gorgeous was how the groom couldn't stop staring at his bride.</div>
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<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/9947_10151664168531309_1938133275_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/9947_10151664168531309_1938133275_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the one photo I took at the wedding. I read <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=481278758604087&set=a.443015115763785.94148.441981835867113&type=1&theater" target="_blank">this</a> a while ago and decided to put my phone away, let the professional photographers document the occasion and just enjoy myself and celebrate. Congrats E&H!</div>
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The morning of the wedding Dan and I walked around the lake. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v0-0_jtUXeA/UjE2BZmSk-I/AAAAAAAAG84/fRce0UCcNSw/s1600/lake+tahoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v0-0_jtUXeA/UjE2BZmSk-I/AAAAAAAAG84/fRce0UCcNSw/s640/lake+tahoe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lbkqWqGaonk/UjE1_rf5r8I/AAAAAAAAG80/bh-W0SzoVuY/s1600/lake+tahoe+kayaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lbkqWqGaonk/UjE1_rf5r8I/AAAAAAAAG80/bh-W0SzoVuY/s640/lake+tahoe+kayaks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love Tahoe. It reminds me that I live in such a fantastic place: California. </div>
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Beaches, ocean, mountains, cities, country, vineyards, snow, sun, we've got it all.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPjKncDqiaM/UjE2Fan3NtI/AAAAAAAAG9M/HRVffqnHypg/s1600/tahoe_me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPjKncDqiaM/UjE2Fan3NtI/AAAAAAAAG9M/HRVffqnHypg/s640/tahoe_me.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jkhh5CbbcHo/UjE2FYBNDEI/AAAAAAAAG9I/kHSS6GacRbg/s1600/tahoe_me1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jkhh5CbbcHo/UjE2FYBNDEI/AAAAAAAAG9I/kHSS6GacRbg/s640/tahoe_me1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Dan skipped rocks. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kd26ZU8cBJ0/UjE5EcNFAkI/AAAAAAAAG9U/P16hnau-oJA/s1600/tahoe+skipping+rocks.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kd26ZU8cBJ0/UjE5EcNFAkI/AAAAAAAAG9U/P16hnau-oJA/s640/tahoe+skipping+rocks.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I can't. It's like whistling {another skill I don't possess} the harder I try the worse it looks.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yU_L8C008qI/UjE1_SzbhaI/AAAAAAAAG8w/_-FvbWes4GM/s1600/lake+tahoe+dan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yU_L8C008qI/UjE1_SzbhaI/AAAAAAAAG8w/_-FvbWes4GM/s640/lake+tahoe+dan.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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P.S. Did I mention I'm marrying this guy in less than 3 weeks :)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-79422027189180068042013-08-30T09:48:00.001-07:002013-09-02T09:52:56.233-07:00Hostess gifts<div style="text-align: center;">
My bridal shower is tomorrow. We've already received a few wedding gifts and honestly, every time I'm handed a gift I can't believe that I'm marrying my favorite person and people are buying me gifts for it. It just seems crazy!</div>
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A close friend of my future mother-in-law is throwing the shower, which is beyond generous. It's a lot of work to throw a party, especially a shower, I think. I mean most, if not all, of the guests are people she's never met before. I am so so grateful. </div>
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I've been trying to come up with a sweet gift to bring her as the hostess. </div>
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Here were a few of my ideas.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jWKsjR-sox8/UiDLDei6-6I/AAAAAAAAG8I/VQyGm6J--D0/s1600/hostess_gifts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jWKsjR-sox8/UiDLDei6-6I/AAAAAAAAG8I/VQyGm6J--D0/s1600/hostess_gifts.png" /></a></div>
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<i>{stationary <a href="https://sugarpaper.com/shop/product/bow-noteset/" target="_blank">1</a> / <a href="https://sugarpaper.com/shop/product/pool-confetti-note-set/" target="_blank">2</a> / <a href="https://sugarpaper.com/shop/product/preppy-scallop-note/" target="_blank">3</a> | <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod2510772&categoryId=cat2360130" target="_blank">cheese knives</a> | <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-candle/993434.jsp" target="_blank">candle</a> | <a href="http://champagnereveries.blogspot.com/2013/02/nutella-rolls-dark-chocolate-almond.html" target="_blank">homemade treats</a>}</i></div>
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After our moves this summer, I've sort of been feeling like we have so much "stuff". So I thought maybe it would be nice to get her something that she could use rather than something that would add to our growing collection of "things".</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=723690956633044549#editor/target=post;postID=5397004972264906019;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=4;src=link" target="_blank">Last weekend while in Napa</a>, I stopped at my favorite olive oil company (aptly named <a href="http://www.oliveoilsainthelena.com/#cid=glbc" target="_blank">Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Company</a>) and picked up a large bottle of their amazing olive oil and their pomegranate balsamic vinegar {so delicious on salads especially with strawberries or peaches}.</div>
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A friend I used to work with, always wrapped her packages in fabric swatches. It looked so pretty and so unique. And with inspiration from <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/73535406385164794/" target="_blank">this pin</a>, I decided to wrap my gifts in <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-kitchen-dishtowels-dish/28410132.jsp" target="_blank">pretty dishtowels from Anthropologie</a> for an added gift.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjKlEaEZyos/UiC7MpwWIII/AAAAAAAAG74/TUCn7xBBogY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-08-30+at+8.32.13+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjKlEaEZyos/UiC7MpwWIII/AAAAAAAAG74/TUCn7xBBogY/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-08-30+at+8.32.13+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I wrapped each bottle in a dish towel with raffia and then included a recipe for my favorite <a href="http://champagnereveries.blogspot.com/2013/03/meyer-lemon-olive-oil-cake-recipe.html" target="_blank">meyer lemon olive oil bread</a>.</div>
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Hope she likes it!</div>
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Happy long weekend!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-64443965346623617822013-08-26T08:29:00.002-07:002013-08-26T09:12:33.034-07:00Roaring 20's<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the year of weddings for me. So many friends are getting engaged and getting married this year. And I am loving it! The showers, the brunches, the bachelorettes, maybe even more than the weddings themselves. It's so nice to have so much girl time.</div>
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This weekend we had a bachelorette party for my friend Jaliffa. Her matron of honor, Erin, (and soon-to-be sister-in-law) planned this fabulous Roaring 20's party.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bepMVVnRgiE/UhtvBtKOjTI/AAAAAAAAG6I/-ATkVlR74Uk/s1600/IMG_3619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bepMVVnRgiE/UhtvBtKOjTI/AAAAAAAAG6I/-ATkVlR74Uk/s640/IMG_3619.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm not usually into costume parties. For some reason I just don't really like dressing up as something else. I've never really been a fan of Halloween. </div>
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But Saturday night was so much fun! My "costume" was a black cocktail dress and heels so maybe that's why I was good with it. It was so much fun to see everyone dressed up.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWrly4wJU6U/UhtxruHkzpI/AAAAAAAAG6U/Zjs50QKptUQ/s1600/IMG_3616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWrly4wJU6U/UhtxruHkzpI/AAAAAAAAG6U/Zjs50QKptUQ/s640/IMG_3616.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Erin had feathered headbands and strands of pearls at everyone's place-settings so those of us who had dressed a bit more 21st century still looked the part. A few fake cigarette holders were floating around too.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9u_C-x0KAA/UhtzfghS1HI/AAAAAAAAG64/dUXXVQ7Ob3U/s1600/P1060691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9u_C-x0KAA/UhtzfghS1HI/AAAAAAAAG64/dUXXVQ7Ob3U/s640/P1060691.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span><br />
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P.S. You were missed, <a href="http://hobomite.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lo</a>!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-53970049722649060192013-08-21T12:02:00.000-07:002013-09-30T13:38:46.276-07:00Dream Paris Elopement<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not going to lie. I've had some serious thoughts about eloping.<br />
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When we got engaged, knowing me so well, a few friends and family asked if I had plans to elope. I made some promises to people that we would not, that I intended to keep.<br />
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Seeing these gorgeous photos and my dream elopement on <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/destination-weddings/2013/08/15/chic-paris-elopement-from-one-and-only-paris-photography/" target="_blank">style me pretty</a> last week had me wishing we were eloping, especially back to one of my favorite cities: Paris.<br />
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<a href="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/contact@oneandonlyparisphotography.com/48836/lesecretdaudrey_weeding_photographer_paris_17_of_81_$!400x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/contact@oneandonlyparisphotography.com/48836/lesecretdaudrey_weeding_photographer_paris_17_of_81_$!400x.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/contact@oneandonlyparisphotography.com/48836/lesecretdaudrey_weeding_photographer_paris_12_of_81_$!400x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/contact@oneandonlyparisphotography.com/48836/lesecretdaudrey_weeding_photographer_paris_12_of_81_$!400x.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/contact@oneandonlyparisphotography.com/48836/lesecretdaudrey_weeding_photographer_paris_56_of_81_$!600x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/contact@oneandonlyparisphotography.com/48836/lesecretdaudrey_weeding_photographer_paris_56_of_81_$!600x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But this weekend we met with the priest at the sweet little church we'll be married at.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sa7YwXCbBa8/UhUIyRvy1SI/AAAAAAAAG5A/gkIJjGzcyX8/s1600/St.+Helena+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sa7YwXCbBa8/UhUIyRvy1SI/AAAAAAAAG5A/gkIJjGzcyX8/s640/St.+Helena+Church.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We had a delicious brunch at <a href="http://frenchbluenapa.com/" target="_blank">French Blue Market</a> in St. Helena, where the waiter asked if we were on our honeymoon, because we looked so in love :)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oh680C66XvA/UhUJxxQM2UI/AAAAAAAAG5I/wzJiKZprHtc/s1600/French+Blue+Market+Napa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oh680C66XvA/UhUJxxQM2UI/AAAAAAAAG5I/wzJiKZprHtc/s640/French+Blue+Market+Napa.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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We drove through Napa and visited a few of the wineries we'll have private tastings at after the wedding.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rWTa9EikUIA/UhUNMMAlnII/AAAAAAAAG5U/-DuQybCoXNM/s1600/Frank+Family+Vineyards1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rWTa9EikUIA/UhUNMMAlnII/AAAAAAAAG5U/-DuQybCoXNM/s640/Frank+Family+Vineyards1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">{<a href="http://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/" target="_blank">frank family vineyards</a>}</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvOd5a5vWaw/UhUNMVWgYlI/AAAAAAAAG5Y/AFYv-7g5D68/s1600/Maisonry+Napa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvOd5a5vWaw/UhUNMVWgYlI/AAAAAAAAG5Y/AFYv-7g5D68/s640/Maisonry+Napa.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{<a href="http://maisonry.com/" target="_blank">ma(i)sonry</a>}</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQBxZC7BjmM/UhUNNcmZWII/AAAAAAAAG5o/suN_vA6-vc4/s1600/Rutherford+Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQBxZC7BjmM/UhUNNcmZWII/AAAAAAAAG5o/suN_vA6-vc4/s640/Rutherford+Hill.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{<a href="http://www.rutherfordhill.com/" target="_blank">rutherford hill</a>}</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRA2Mzzh2Wc/UhUNcbbY0DI/AAAAAAAAG50/Y3PiSp8b0AY/s1600/IMG_3564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRA2Mzzh2Wc/UhUNcbbY0DI/AAAAAAAAG50/Y3PiSp8b0AY/s640/IMG_3564.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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{On the way we may have stopped at <a href="http://bouchonbakery.com/yountville" target="_blank">Bouchon</a> for some delicious iced coffee and macarons.}</div>
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And when we arrived back home, a package had arrived with our invitations. I'd seen the mock-ups online and held the paper samples in my hands, but seeing it all together was breathtaking. They are so much better than I imagined.<br />
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After this weekend, I could not be more excited for the wedding we have planned.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">paris elopement images via <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/destination-weddings/2013/08/15/chic-paris-elopement-from-one-and-only-paris-photography/" target="_blank">Style Me Pretty</a> from <a href="http://oneandonlyparisphotography.com/" target="_blank">One and Only Paris Photography</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723690956633044549.post-87793632308878700292013-08-19T08:27:00.001-07:002013-08-19T11:08:23.261-07:00That's my best friend<div style="text-align: center;">
Over the weekend we attended a wedding of a dear friend of mine. The wedding was beautiful and heart-felt and so so sweet. My friend's young daughters walked her down the aisle and "helped" marry mommy. It was too sweet. I absolutely loved every minute of it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quwM9zv9I_k/UhIzSJFrIrI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/ToHQ-5XnicA/s1600/IMG_3524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quwM9zv9I_k/UhIzSJFrIrI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/ToHQ-5XnicA/s640/IMG_3524.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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{The best wedding program I've seen.}</div>
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A funny thing happened at the wedding. My best friend was in the wedding party. </div>
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We were chatting during the reception and she told me that one of the groomsmen had asked the bride about me. I guess he wanted an introduction. The bride told him that he was too late; that I was getting married in a month. My best friend told me it made her happy and she wanted to lean in and say, "that's my best friend."</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mWLP7LzIIKg/UhI0bVp-S_I/AAAAAAAAG4w/tmrRm6C6cIk/s1600/IMG_3514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mWLP7LzIIKg/UhI0bVp-S_I/AAAAAAAAG4w/tmrRm6C6cIk/s640/IMG_3514.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The funny thing is, earlier that evening at the ceremony as I watched all of the bridesmaids walk down the aisle, as soon I saw Amanda, (she looked absolutely radiant!), I smiled and proudly thought the same thing: "that's my best friend." </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GbmsG9jdvk4/UhI0UE3VgBI/AAAAAAAAG4s/cz8FE0UriQo/s1600/IMG_3528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GbmsG9jdvk4/UhI0UE3VgBI/AAAAAAAAG4s/cz8FE0UriQo/s640/IMG_3528.jpg" width="640" /></a>{Darin & Amanda - married 10+ years and the first wedding I had the privilege of being a part of}</div>
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I got teary-eyed at that moment. Maybe it was because I was picturing Amanda standing next to me in just a few weeks, at my upcoming wedding, or maybe because it was through Amanda that I became such good friends with the bride who looked so beautiful and so extremely happy on her wedding day. </div>
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Either way I am so incredibly thankful for this beautiful girl, inside and out, and being able to call her my best friend.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LMF</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09708149903395084758noreply@blogger.com1