Recent Purchases

Per my previous post, I did buy some things at Isabella Oliver - the wrap sweater and dress. Thoughts on them? I'd love to hear about their sizing, as I'm 22 weeks, and wonder how much more wear I can get out of them.

The top dress I bought at Baby Style (on Montana in Santa Monica, but they also sell it on the website. It's a lovely heavy knit that stays wrinkle free. It's super comfy. It is a little on the big side now, so it looks better with a sweater over it as a little jacket, but I think it may have enough room to go pretty far into the spring.

Having Fun Is Hard Work

I owe a real post with photos and details (I always prefer the photo posts). But, here's what we did this past weekend:

1. Baked for fabulous party in Hermosa Beach. Every year my friend prepares a feast to watch the fireworks, and it was my job to bake. So, I made homeade sugar cookies (the ones on Orangette's blog from last week) and chocolate chip cookies - try the recipe on the back of the Guittard chips bag if you live in CA and like a crispy/chewy cookie.

2. Figured out (essentially) the menu for our Christmas. Here's my thoughts so far:
Duck (DH loves duck, and I think it's rich enough to be saved for special events)
Potatoes au gratin (per the easy gratin in Nigella Lawson's "Nigella Eats."
Ratatouille (per the recipe from my French mama - it is the BEST).
Green beans with shallots and butter
Cheese/Spinach lasagne (my SIL is a vegetarian and I want her to have something delicious)
Rolls (lord bless La Brea Bakery)

For appetizers

I made gougeres tonight from Ina Garten's "Barefoot in Paris" and they freeze and reheat perfectly.
I picked up a brie in pastry from Trader Joe'
Cheese (truffle cheese at some point) and crackers
crudite and hummus
sparkling beverages (mine will be sparkling water and pomegranate juice)

For dessert

Nigella's molten chocolate baby cakes from "How to Be a Domestic Goddess" with vanilla ice cream
Gingerbread cookies
Coffee - and a comfy place to take a nap!

BTW, it is freezing in LA, and I'm starting not to fit into my sweaters. Does anyone out there have suggestions for maternity sweaters that are entirely natural fiber (i.e. wool/cashmere) and not acrylic? I ordered one from Isabella Oliver (along with a red wrap dress) - any thoughts on that brand quality/sizing?

3. Instead of buying the tree, we took a very long nap on Saturday afternoon. Must do that this weekend. And, must also make more holiday cookies and find great waffle recipe for Christmas morning.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

(Clothing for baby girl, as I'm doing so fantastically well with the pregnancy weight gain that I can take a break from sweets for the next month - insert sarcasm...I hate being weighed every month. I know it is for a good cause, but I HATE it. I leave the doctor's office feeling fat and dumpy.) Being pregnant in a city of thin, beautiful people is depressing! I have to remind myself that baby girl is doing splendidly and my doctor isn't worried about my weight - I would gain 100 pounds to ensure she arrives safely!

That said, why do pregnant people feel like baking all the time? I don't understand it!

That aside, aren't the above some of the cutest ever? They are all Lilly. I'm waiting to receive from my mum a box of my little outfits (some of which weren't even worn). That's what happens when you have two older girl cousins on one side whose Nana loved to shop, and throw in my super indulgent grandparents on my father's side. And blessings to my mother, who saved them for all these years.

Thoughts on Central Park Toile?

Does anyone have this bedding? (If you are out there, how soft is it, and how well does it stand up to repeated washing?) Thanks so much!

The nursery is shaping up to be a light yellow wall, black and white damask curtains and I'm really into black and white toile crib linens. I want some pink accents, but not a whole lot of pink on big pieces. What do you think?

Also, I think a moses basket sounds very useful since our condo has lots of stairs, and I want baby to be able to be comfy when she is upstairs with me (and I'm thinking I won't let her out of my sight).

My Holiday Favorites

It is starting to feel a lot like Christmas here in Los Angeles. It's going to be in the 50's and rainy this weekend, my XM radio is pumping the Christmas music, and I've been spending money like it is going out of style. Since I haven't made my blog public to friends and family yet, I can share with you, random internet readers, what I've gotten so far:

1. For my SIL and BIL and spouse/girlfriend - a set of cool, insulated glass tumblers and some delicious French Breakfast tea from Mariage Freres. Check out http://www.theculturedcup.com/ which is a great tea/coffee supply store based out of Dallas!

2. For my husband: scotch (please no jokes about me driving him to drink :). But, I think I caused a bit of a stir at the wine store. I'm still in the phase when I can appear ambiguously pregnant, and I was wearing a loose blouse over trousers...so the bump was cocooned). The nice man helping me looked at me with curiosity, but he was very polite and didn't ask me...but I think he was relieved when I told him the scotch was for my husband and that I don't like it! I also got him cute little single malt glasses to drink it...I can join him with a single malt glass of juice.

3. For my mother and stepfather: it's a New England tradition, and I love them. The GURGLING COD! I have one, and it's such a great conversation piece. You can order them for your next Boston bride at http://www.shrevecrumpandlow.com/

4. For my baby brother - a check. Because that's what he really needs. :)

Holiday To Do

I am so proud. I have addressed and mailed the VAST majority of my Christmas cards. The stragglers are the ones where I had to ask my mum for addresses, or the ones where friends flaked on the emails.

I ordered from Lemontree Paperie and I was really impressed. They were very quick (and accurate) in preparing the proof and then getting the actual invitations. Plus, their prices were reasonable, and the final cards were adorable. Not to mention, getting your return address printed on the envelope flap is always a good idea!

Now, the remaining items for this week are as follows:

1. Cookies for holiday part on Sunday. I love watching the Manhattan Beach fireworks every year, and need some good cookies to go with. I'm thinking of trying the Danish butter cookies from Orangette's blog, and my mum's gingerbread men. I may even make some icing! (And a HUGE mess).

2. We need to get our tree! We also string white lights on our interior staircases.

3. Polish the silver. With houseguests (my SIL and her husband), I don't want to be worrying about this at Christmas.

4. Iron the good linens. Again, I hate leaving this to the last minute.

5. Find a decent non-alcoholic sparkling beverage. Any suggestions?

6. When I have a minute, start wrapping the presents!

It's a.......

Apologies for not writing more, but Thanksgiving and last week were crazy. Between family visits, doctor's appointments and other assorted sundries (hello job), I'm back.

And, in case you are wondering, it looks like I'm having a baby girl in late April! She is so cute on the ultrasounds with her tiny little feet kicking, and even sucking her thumb! So, I promise to be better this week...look for posts on Christmas cards, holiday baking and maternity fashion, as I review the fruits of serious shopping while my mum was out with me in LA.

Speaking of strange coincidences, my mum arrived a couple days before the ultrasound. She brought with her a pair of tiny pink ceramic baby booties that my grandmother had received filled with flowers when my mother was born. My grandmother gave them to my mother when I was born. My mum brought them out to me to keep regardless, but now we can keep the tradition going...because it's a girl! More importantly, she appears to be very healthy, and I pray that she remains so!