Week 36: I Said Yes!!!

Man oh man! What an amazing whirlwind life has been lately. This past Friday, Christopher and I got engaged!!!! Everything was perfect. He made the dinner he made for me on our first date, brought me a HUGE bouquet of flowers, and finished with a very special dessert that ended with his proposal.

First date dinner: Steak, bacon mashed potatoes, carrots. And those FLOWERS!

I would have taken a photo of the cake, but I ate it too fast 🙂

It was a perfect proposal, in the home we made together, right before we meet our baby girl. Of course I cried a million happy tears before texting my family the good news.

Chris went on my (not so secret) wedding Pinterest board and found the exact ring I wanted, and even went through the same custom jeweler to have it made for me 🙂 Here’s a better look

my brilliant cut and super slim white gold band.

I don’t even know if it’s possible to feel much luckier. Life has never been so sweet 🙂

I’m so lucky to call this guy mine, you guys. He’s the funniest, smartest, most caring person I know, and he’s about to become the best doting dad in the world. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life laughing with you, Christopher.

Stay Gold,

Grace

Week 35: Treat yo’ Self

So with the final countdown underway, I’ve really been trying to focus on keeping myself calm, cool, and collected…well as best as a woman who is 8 months pregnant possibly can. Let’s just say I’ve been spending a LOT of time in the bathtub. I know I need to make this quiet alone time count before Harper’s arrival, so I’ve been making the most of it with some indulgences.

Here’s a quick list of my home-spa must haves! Click on any of the links to get your own 🙂

Urban Outfitters candle in Moon Sparkle: I’m going nuts for this one right now, as it smells EXACTLY like the old Plumeria scent from Bath and Body Works that was my favorite as a kid. $28.

Calgon Bath Salts in Mint Green Tea: I’m obsessed with this heavenly smelling and pain relieving salt. I’ve had a super sore back as of late, so this stuff is a definite must. $5.

Darphin Hydrating Kiwi Mask: So this is liquid relaxation for faces. This ultra soothing mask goes on cold and leaves your skin feeling brand new. It’s on the pricey end, but luckily I scored it as a work perk 😉 $50

Nook Glowlight: As some of you may know, I am a big reader. I knew I’d be spending a lot more time at home later in my pregnancy and I tend to feel like my brain is melting if I watch too much TV, so I started looking into e-readers. I knew I didn’t want all the bells and whistles of a tablet (Pinterest calls to me) so this Glowlight from Barnes and Noble (recommended by my Mom) is perfect for me. It has a backlight that isn’t too bright so it doesn’t bug Chris when he’s trying to sleep 🙂 I scored mine on ebay for only $55!

Comfy Cotton Robe: I got this to put into my hospital bag, but it has been so practical when it comes to weekend mornings when I don’t feel like squeezing myself into clothes quite yet. $25

+ Lots of caffeine free Iced Green Tea with honey ❤

Lana Del Rey: May be sad to some, but definitely soothing to me.

Creating a peaceful and happy environment for Harper to grow and arrive in has been a top priority of mine, and I’ve honestly never felt so comfortable and at peace with so many huge life changes occurring. I highly recommend taking some time for yourself this week just to focus on feeling well and calm; it is so important (pregnant or not!)

Now get yourself in the tub and TREAT YO SELF.

Stay Gold,

Grace

Week 33: Our New Home!

What a whirlwind these past few weeks have been! Moving while in your third trimester of pregnancy is NOT wise (just ask poor Chris, who has had to do 99% of the work.) Slowly but surely, we’ve been making this lovely Bucktown bungalow our own. It’s a first floor unit on a tree-lined street in a neighborhood full of young parents with puppies and babies (I’d say it’s a pretty solid fit.) It has two bedrooms, a home office, and a backyard for Scout. It’s down the street from our beloved watering hole, The Corner Bar, and blocks away from the Blue Line and Harper’s future daycare center. Chris saw the For Rent sign about an hour after it was taped to the door, and the next day it was ours ❤

It needed a little updating and style which is usually my forte, but with my dwindling energy levels, searing back pain, and ever-growing belly, my drive to design has been minimal, to say the least. Luckily, Chris loves working around the house and making a space feel like home.

Here are some before and after photos of our progress!

Before: Living Room/Dining Room

Before: Living Room/Dining Room

AFTER!

After: Living Room

So this place was definitely in need of a clean slate. Chris painted the whole place a light blue/white which helped brighten things up (I mean, that red wall had to go ASAP.) Being the handyman he is, Chris also installed new drop lighting where the dirty old track and hanging fixture used to be. If there’s one thing Chris and I agree upon the most, it’s the presence of BRIGHT lighting (definitely crucial in surviving Chicago winter weather).

After: Dining Room

The kitchen was a similar story. But after a coat of paint and some brighter lighting (Chris also installed track lighting under the cabinets) our kitchen is as sunny as can be 🙂

Before: Kitchen

AFTER

After: Kitchen

We also bought this nifty island to create more storage and seating. Target!

Bathroom – Not much happening here. Just spiffed it up a bit!

AFTER

The bedrooms are super tiny, so I don’t have much in terms of before photos, but here’s what we’re working with so far! Both our bedroom and the nursery are still works in progress!

Here’s our bedroom, we’re waiting on our bed, so I got pinterest-y with a makeshift headboard 🙂

Bedroom mock headboard

Here’s Miss Harper’s Room (also work in progress)

Leetle Roooom

I can’t wait for our little human to enjoy all her clothes and toys I keep taking out just to stare at. Her wardrobe is definitely the most extensive in the house already.

And finally the office! It’s always been important to me to have a space where I can focus and create. My creation station, if you will 😉 I will be working from home a lot in the coming weeks as we wait for Harper to arrive, so a home office was an awesome plus when we viewed this apartment. Chris built me a desk with a file cabinet and tons of space. We still have to paint the desk top, get a monitor, and add a blotter, but you get the idea.

I’m a big fan of color (clearly) and knick knacks. An office is the ideal place to showcase do-dads that didn’t quite fit anywhere else in the apartment.

So there you have it! Our new home. It’s so crazy to think that this is the home we’ll bring Harper home to. Where she’ll crawl/walk/talk for the first time. Now, I’ve got to sign off before I start crying. Again.

Stay Gold 🙂