I passed!

Do you know any board certified acute care nurse practitioners?

Yes, yes you do....ME!!!

Whooohooo!!!

I'll be busy celebrating...

All. Weekend. Long.

Night on the town with friends and family?

Check.

Blood orange "mocktail" at the Hi Hat Lounge! Yum.

N/A champagne and wine?!

Read:  That does NOT taste like sugary grape juice AND has actually won "gold medal" awards in competition with regular, full-alcohol wines.

Say whaaaaaaat?!

More importantly, why is it that I made this wondrous discovery so late in the pregnancy game?!

Here me fellow preggos:  Put down that nasty O'Doul's and read more about these amazing finds {HERE}.

Note to self:  Stock up for the "next time" and buy for any of my besties who announce they are with child - STAT!

"Spa" Mani/Pedi...at home!
Heavy on the bubble soaking and exfoliating. :)

Thinking about going "mint" on the digits...it's all the rage this spring!
What do you think? Too Easter eggy?

Indulgent treats!

(Hey, I've earned it.)

I'm looking at you, McDonald's Shamrock Shake...mixed half-and-half with chocolate.

Oh yes, they customize.

And I'm LOVING the ease and (decadence) of this 3-ingredient, coffee mug "gooey chocolate cake"!  Recipe {HERE}.

Speaking of "shamrocks"...possibly taking in Saturday's

St. Patrick's Day Parade!

{HERE}

It's supposed to be nice and sunny....plus, my Irish baby likes to party.

Increased snuggle time and laziness with the huzz!

....without feeling guilty that I'm not brushing up on the latest evidence-based practice treatments for the various types of cellulitis.

Holla!!

But more importantly,

here's the take-home message of this post, my friends:

Get some!

It feels GREAT.

(Hopefully I can instill this work ethic into all future offspring.)

Thanks for your support, loves!
Especially to my patient, ever-supportive husband.
And to my parents for putting up with my venting phone calls.

I couldn't have done it without you!

:)

~photos by b / images via pinterest, Ariel, Mc Donald's, Babble, pinterest x 2~

Friday inspiration

D-Day.

~images via truly & coco+kelley~

Last minute hostess gift

Invited to your neighbors for a last-minute dinner party?

No hostess gift to be found? 

(Martha Stewart would not be impressed.)

But have no fear!

And follow these simple rules.

1.

Purchase a few beautiful kitchen towels
from local purveyors, farmer's markets, or even HomeGoods!

Stock them in your gift bin.

2. 

Always keep a few extra bottles of your favorite,
reasonably-priced wine in your pantry.

3.

Simply combine the two with a pretty ribbon and heartfelt note
and you will never be without a hostess gift!

~image via Pinterest~

Wednesday wishlist

Here are a few of my favorite things today...

1.

Fancy hot chocolate.

Lavender, cinnamon, chai - you name it.

2.

Flowy, feminine blouses.

(Via TopShop.)

3.

Succulents in bouquets.

Earthy and beautiful.

4.

Nerdy glasses.

Perfect for getting your study on.

5.

Laughter with old friends.

Truly one of life's most precious gifts.

Happy "hump day" to you!

~images via little bits of lovely, hip hip gin gin, truly, this is not new, & pinterest~

Pouf perfection

Poufs are so pretty!

(And oddly expensive, in my opinion.)

Whether used as extra seating or for foot rests,

I love how they add a fun pop of color, as well as practicality, to a space.

Some of my favorites...

Found this one for the nursery - great price!

(Apparently, if you call it a "fancy bean bag," you don't have to charge $400+.)

All I know is that it while it is not as chic as the above Moroccan poufs,
it sure makes for an awesome ottoman for the nursery glider!

:)

~images via belle maison~

Studying is my middle name.

NP boards are rapidly approaching, which means I have been making myself at home at local coffee shops and drilling flashcards as much as I possibly can!

It feels like studying for a cumulative final.
(Only the final is not for one class...but for my entire master's degree.
And my whole future career depends on the outcome.)
Woof.

Realizing that it is both impossible and unrealistic to memorize it all.
And trying not to freak out!

No pressure.

Big fan of the recently renovated Alterra on Prospect!

{HERE}

It's like studying in a greenhouse!

P.S.  In my pursuit of productivity, I found this article to be highly inspiring.

~image of quote unknown  / photos by b~

Peace & calm

Happy (peaceful) Sunday, my lovelies!

Mind over matter for me!
NP Boards in ~5 days.
And about to give birth, essentially any week now!

Here I am, just 1 day shy of 36 weeks...dislocated ribs (?!?) and all!

 

OUCH.

But what a resourceful little man I have!
("No room?  That's okay, ma, I'll just make some.")
;)

{sigh}

Inner peace and calm...inner peace and calm...

~image source unknown / photos by b~

Camel couture

Camel. Caramel. Cognac.

Whatever you want to call it, I'm absolutely LOVING this classic look.

With the right accessories
(I'm looking at you turquoise ring, gold jewelry, & gorgeous scarves!)
these "neutral" looks really pop!

Which look is your favorite?

~images via pinterest, because i'm addicted x 2, 9to5chic, & pinterest x 2~

Food from my Frontier

I need to pre-order the new Pioneer Woman cookbook STAT!

{HERE}

Love Ree...and her recipes are always fool-proof & comforting!
Remember her succulent pot roast? Oh yeah...

You can catch her on the Food Network on Saturday mornings.

Here are a few drool-worthy images from the cookbook...

Can't wait to get recipe testin'!

~images via The Pioneer Woman~

Baby shower, recap

Here are a few fun snapshots from the 

Baby Shower Tea Party!

(Photos taken by my dad during set-up...I am so bad and took zero during the actual party!)
:(

Blue hydrangeas and white mums in vintage tea tins.

We used my Mom's and Grandma's tea pots with teas I brought back from London!

Pastries, cannolis, cookies, breads, scones, brownies, etc!

Yum.

Mini-chocolate cupcakes from the Metro Market.

Sciortino's Italian Bakery

Tea sandwiches galore!

All homemade with bread from the Public Market.

Strawberry & pineapple kebobs!

(There was an amazing brown sugar fruit dip, I promise.)

Festive white chocolate-covered pretzels.

Favor bags...

...and adorable homemade jam favors from my hometown!

LOVE.

DIY polka dot & "oh boy!" garlands...
(Could possibly double as nursery and/or Christening party decor?)

And so many wonderful gifts for Baby A!

What a lucky (and loved) little man.

:)

I especially enjoyed reading the beautiful "Wishes for Baby" notes...

LOVE.
Can't wait to matte and get in a baby book!

...and this adorable family tree guestbook!

Thanks again to everyone who came out to celebrate (and help!)

Especially all of you "grandmas" and "aunties"!

I couldn't have asked for a better shower.

:)

~photos by b~