i heart autumn.

 

we are officially into our first week of autumn 

(although it doesn't quite feel like full blown autumn yet)

and i couldn't be more happy about the change of seasons.

one of the best things about living in the district

is experiencing all four seasons

and here comes one of my favorites.

really looking forward to:

1. pumpkin flavored anything - especially muffins

2. pumpkins, apples and gourds

3. orange, yellow and red leaves

4. layers - lots and lots of layers and scarves

5. soups and stews made by chef jeff

6. and most importantly - meeting our baby girl face to face come november!

xoxoxox

booties.

seriously - look how cute these booties are

from bink & boo.

might just have to get some for baby helga!

xoxoxo

houston baby shower.

my wonderfully thoughtful and adorable welsh cousins threw me a baby shower in houston, texas last weekend.  and it was AMAZING!  all the details from the flowers to the food to the presentation were wonderfully executed.  the hostesses also gave me some sentimental books to get our collection going and wrote little notes to baby helga!  everyone did such a fine job of making me and baby helga feel special and loved.  thank you to ALL that participated!

 the lovely spread.

 cousin kristi and sister in law jenn.

 me and mama.

 the goodies.

 cousin kristi and aunt dianne.

 the AMAZING hostesses!

welsh cousins: ellen, gina, meredith, me, lisa and kathryn

(and christene who was celebrating from afar!)

 and the grandmas to be!

xoxoxoox

boys' fishing trip.

while i was in houston being spoiled with a baby shower (more on that later!), jeffrey went on a fishing trip with some boys.  he had a ball fishing, drinking and being with the boys.

luckily, all the boys caught some beautiful striped bass and brought them home - perfect for tonight's dinner!  and i have just the recipe - my dad's fried fish recipe - which brings back fond memories of all the fishing and fish fries we used to do growing up at my parents' bay house.

daddo's fried fish:

you will need - fish filets, milk, cornmeal and canola oil

wash fish. cut fish into 3" pieces. dip into milk, then dip fish into brown paper bag filled with 3 - 4" of cornmeal, seasoned with salt and pepper.  close bag and shake to cover fish with cornmeal.  remove fish.  pour canola oil to 1/2 full skillet.  heat oil to HOT before putting fish in.  turn over once.  fry to golden brown.  remove from skillet and drain on paper towel before placing on platter.  ENJOY!

xoxoxo

out and about in santa fe.

here are some more pics from our

adventures out west.

 jeffrey was on the lookout for a pair of cowboy boots.

he found a great pair of old worn ones made from ostrich.

 on our way to taos for a day trip.

 georgia o'keeffe loved to paint this church.

the mommo and i relaxing....

the end.

xoxoxox

willie nelson. {in concert}

jeffrey and i headed down to santa fe, new mexico last weekend to visit my parents.  we haven't traveled to this magical place in over a year and figured it would be another year (with our upcoming arrival) before we made it there again.  so we squeezed in a visit before my docs said "you are not allowed on a plane anymore."

santa fe is the perfect place to relax.  the breathtaking mountains, clean and crisp temps and fabulous food combined with the stunning house my parents created truly makes it feels like you are worlds away.

on saturday night, my parents got tickets for us to see good ole willie nelson at the lovely santa fe opera house.  before hand, we gathered for some yummy apps and a "best boots" contest.  and guess who won the prize for the "best boots" contest!?  my cute cute dad!

 daddo with actress ali mcgraw {who hand picked him for his boots}

 and the winner is....yellow boots!

xoxox

santa fe goodness.

currently enjoying

these sites in santa fe, new mexico....

 will be back soon 

with tales from our adventures.

xoxoxo

emersonmade.

just stumbled on this amazing on-line clothing boutique,

emersonmade.

and i am totally smitten.

really wish i could:

1. afford to buy a ton of these looks

2. be able to fit into these clothes at the moment.

here are some of my favs.

happy fall shopping friends and 

happy happy weekend!

xoxoxo

shower invitations.

as i'm sure yall are aware, i LOVE paper invitations.  i simply cannot get enough.  and i LOVE LOVE LOVE the paper invitations for my upcoming baby showers.  my sweet {welsh} girl cousins are throwing me a shower in houston and some of my dear dc friends are throwing me a shower in dc.  i feel very loved and thankful for all the planning and hosting that is going on for me and baby helga.

now for the super cute invitations....

i always enjoy a good square invitation.  i know they are more common now, but they still have a modern and different vibe to me, so i enjoy.  i also love how this invite has bold colors with a hint of bright pink.  i'm not a huge pink person, but this invite has the perfect splash of that pinky goodness.

 

these are the exact colors we are doing for baby helga's nursery.  gray walls with bright orange and yellow bedding.  i love how my dear dc friends know me so well, it makes me happy.  also love the cute little details of the flower and polk-a-dot elephants.  i mean who doesn't love a polk-a-dot elephant!?

thanks you cousins and dc friends.  i cannot wait for the upcoming festivities.  we are so lucky and thankful for your thoughtfulness!

xoxox

babies babies everywhere!

welcome baby boy filip!

8 lbs. 7 oz., and 20.5 inches

proud parents: jelena and aleks trifunovic

he is absolutely adorable and

we are so very happy for the trifunovic family!

xoxox

our time with mags and trav.

we ALWAYS have such a ball with these two

and this trip {of course} did not disappoint.

we stayed active despite the torrential down pour we have been experiencing in our area

and the fact that my kankels are in full swing.

we saw some movies, cooked some homemade meals, 

enjoyed the monuments at night and wondered around georgetown. 

this trip was extra special because for the next 12 to 18 months

this lovely duo is headed out on quite an adventure.  

they are packin their bags and heading to south america, 

then hiking the pacific crest trail {from mexico to canada} 

and then venturing to southeast asia. 

you can read more about their adventures here.

we were so thankful for the time we got to spend with these dear dear friends

before they head on their travel adventures and 

before we head into our parenthood adventures.

smooches sweet friends!

 mags and trav's first five guys experience!

 my grillin man

 mags stepping in for the awkward baby bump picture

 the new mlk jr. monument

 baby bump: 29 weeks

we heart yall!

xoxoxox