NYC 2013

February 15, 2013

{Awesome image via Moey Hoque}

Suddenly I want to cover my walls in neon tape…

Despite the CrAzY weather, the NYC trip still went down.

Seriously impressed by the way this city carries onward despite any conditions. The entire city of Atlanta will shut down over a few inches of snow, and the city of NYC was back to business the morning after Nemo. Tough ones they are…

(Coconut bark makes excellent earthy vase wraps- who knew??)

Some events were cancelled which was a bummer so I hopped lots of food joints…cuz thats what you should do when in NYC. Here is what still proceeded…

Highlights according to instagram:

Jack Rogers joined forces with the Flower School of New York to bring us a fun evening of cocktails, flower arrangement tips, and a preview of new and upcoming designs.

Found a cozy joint to grab dinner and escape the mad weather with Mackenzie and Carly at Whichcraft. (Best soup and sandwhich combos.) These girls are a fun time!

Catching up over lunch with Mara and Rachel at Il Ily (Superb Mediterranean). We were the lone survivors of our planned meet up:)

Photoshoot and coffee session with the awesome Kat Harris.

So wonderful to see Natalie and Naomi again and finally meet Sydney🙂 Those girls are so refreshingly down to earth and sweet as can be.

One of my best friends Liza is due just a few weeks before me! We got to spend some good catch up time together. Her and her husband have the coolest NYC apt and even hosted a post-nemo bonfire for friends to enjoy. They are rockstars I tell you.

Highlights not on insta:

Me trying to find the bus and train stations for at least two hours out of every day despite Gabe’s map and step by step directions. I am challenged in this area..

My failed fake eyelash attempt pre-photoshoot making my eye swell up and turn into a swollen mess.

Charging my weak phone every two hours in whatever coffee shop that would have me.

Getting yelled at for riding the bus without a pass. (No they don’t take cash friends.)

Snow filled boots and frostbitten hands.

Almost dying in cab.

{Art print via Ecojot}

I don’t think I will be returning to NYC for a good long while, so I was thankful for the few days I managed to squeeze in before this baby comes.

A few links to check out this weekend!:

1) A new app I am loving called WideAngle that I got a sneak preview of.

2) I think I found my next haircut…

3) Pop up shop of the new line by Kate Spade that has my heart beating a little faster.

4) Favorite DIY find of the week.

5) A grand idea for a going away party.

6) My choice etsy shop of the week. Innovative right?

7) A shop whose proceeds go towards adopting families. (Something close to my heart.)

Happy weekend friends!

St. Valentine’s Day 2013

February 14, 2013

I thought I was so clever with my wooden hearts valentine, and Gabe had to go pull this one on me…

Where does this boy come from?? The best part….girl scout cookie thin mints. Halleluiah! He knows me well. (Btw, do you eat them frozen or no?) But as always, my favorite is getting a hand written note from someone I love so much.

For the kids I made them something my mom used to make us growing up – eggs in a basket. They were more excited about getting to eat at their new little table:)

There’s a reason I am blogging my Valentine: To remind you that chivalry is not dead, and that dating can continue when you are married if you decide its important enough:)

K all the love and sap is over for the season-don’t worry!

We are celebrating Gabe’s b-day tomorrow and I now need to step up my game…geesh.

Time to scheme..

Happy Valentine’s Day lovers!

Cartas de Amor

February 12, 2013

Do you save hand written notes?

I used to save boxes full from sisters and friends.

When Gabe came along, I saved every note he ever wrote. He was a note writer, and it made

me swoon. He can still make me blush with notes, and as simple as they may be, I am thankful for them. They now make a binder full that we can show our kids one day (and they can make fun of our college photos).

This is why I love that Jen of Made By Girl put together a special V-day edition of “Cartas de Amor.”

The issue is filled with Sweet ideas for Valentine’s Day and many bloggers are sharing what their favorite love note received was and why. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did! (I read every note – such a sucker for real love.) If you actually want to read the note Gabe wrote, you will have to check out the issue yourself;)

NYC – Photoshoot with Kat Harris for Olivia Childs

February 11, 2013

{The look: Leather pants: F21 (the key to wearing any non-maternity pants during pregnancy is the Blanqi bodystyler -worn in black above), Shirt: ON, Jacket: Asos (similar here or here), Vest: c/o Windsor Store, Shoes: Olivia Childs, Necklace: c/o Bauble Bar }

NYC…what a whirlwind.

It shocks me none that I chose the big blizzard weekend to travel there.

Somehow, I managed to get on one of the last two flights out of Atlanta before they cancelled the rest…

The weather Friday was bananas. Despite the craziness, it was still a fun time!

Saturday morning I met up with the lovely Kat Harris for a photoshoot post Nemo. (Thank you Hilary for connecting us!) We did a shoot for Olivia Childs new line of shoes coming soon. (Insanely comfortable shoes designed for the working woman.) Kat is the coolest. Despite being from the warm weather states, she was out all weekend shooting for NYFW. We were able to grab coffee afterwards at Joe’s, and had quite a good time:) These are a few of the shots from this talented gal. Will share a few more this week. More on NYC soon. For now, check out more of Kat Harris’ work here! (Her recent photos of Brooke White are insane!)

Kat Harris Photography

Site | Blog

Social media: @thekatharris + @therifinedwoman

"CHEWS TO LOVE" Gum wrapper printables

February 6, 2013

CHEWS TO LOVE:

Ingredients: Courage, Action, Resolve

Long Lasting Flavor.

Nutrient Facts: Serving Size: 1 Chew, Percent Daily Value: %100

Chewsing provides daily nutrients for the heart, protects it from invasive vices, and improves the environment. Chews Carefully.

^ This is all contained on the printable wrappers, which print three to a page!

It’s a fun alternative valentine to gift to guy and girl friends alike, and offer a little inspiration to their week:) Print the wrappers here.

*Print on cardstock for best results!

For other V-day ideas, check out recent DIYs.

To see the three current giveaways going on over on the fan page, visit here!

Thank you February

February 5, 2013

{Coat: c/o Sheinside, Necklace: Bauble Bar, Sweater: J. Crew, Blouse: Windsor Store, Velvet Pants: Gap, Boots: F21, Watch: c/o Tailor and Stylist}

Thank you…… February,

For rescuing us from the longest month of the year.

The fact that you are short makes you tall in my standards.

And you bring the hope of spring weather.

I wore bright colors to maybe entice you to bring some warmer days to Georgia.

Thanks for the trademark x’s and o’s for us to scatter all over the place in the next few weeks.

xoxoxo, Anna

P.S. More giveaways for you readers up on the facebook page all week! Just because its the month of love and all, and I kind of {heart} you friends!

{Heart of Hearts}: Mini Valentines Day Party

February 4, 2013

Since I will be traveling this weekend, I hosted a mini valentine’s day party for my little ones and their friends Feb. 1st 🙂 I kept it super simple and the total cost was under 25$!

Party Details:

Happy V- Day Banner – free printable from the talented Kori Clark

Cupcakes: Gluten free Betty Crocker mix (thanks Betty!) for our gluten free friends.

Cupcake Toppers: Felt Hearts with sticky circle back (find in a pack at Hobby Lobby), attach to wooden toothpicks or topper sticks (also found in a bag at Hobby Lobby).

Heart Shape Table Decor – Dollar Tree Napkins cut into heart shapes.

Heart Cups: White Paint Marker+ Dollar Tree Red Cups

Snack Bags: Pretty Paperie Printables (my friend Natalie’s awesome shop!) + mini baggies. We ended up mailing these packs to cousins as well:)

Felt Heart Headbands: Pack of felt hearts with sticky backs (Hobby lobby or Amazon). Pair two together back to back and hot glue a row full along a stretch headband. Great party favors for the little girls!

Balloon Strand: Tie balloon ends along some twine and hang on the ceiling for a fun and inexpensive valentine chandelier:)

(Mini Table: via Ikea)

Activity Ideas:

Cupcake decorating – set out a bunch of sprinkles in small dishes with iced cupcakes for the kids to decorate before diving in.

Finger painting in a baggie (no mess!). Brilliant idea found here. Gabriel has asked to do this every day since the party:)

P.S. I have teamed up with some of my favorite shops to give away a ton of fun goodies on the IHOD facebook page. Head over to see what’s up for grabs today!