To Blog Or Not To Blog...

Clearly, it's been a while since I blogged. It's been so long that maybe I'm just not meant to be a blogger. I'm not a good writer but I do enjoy blogging when I actually take the time to create a new post. So how about one last shot? Even if no one reads my blog, it's a creative outlet (something I lack in my life).


So where do I begin? Or re-begin?


WE ARE HAVING A BABY! And not in 9 months...I could go into labor at any moment! That's right, there's going to be a baby boy Greenbaum! Yes, I will probably be posting things about how cute my baby is or how wonderful being a mom is...just to warn you. So as my pregnancy comes to an end, here is my list of the wonderful/not-so-wonderful things about pregnancy:


Why I love being pregnant:


1. Feeling my little one move is the most amazing feeling in the world! I can't describe it. It's just wonderful and I love it (even when his little feet jab me in my ribs)

2. The "expectant mother" parking spots at the grocery store

3. How much closer I feel to my husband

4. Everyone is nicer to you and doesn't expect you to lift a finger

5. My husband does most of the grocery shopping/cooking

6. Finding a new appreciation for my mother

7. Creating a nursery...baby things are too cute!

8. Hearing my baby's heartbeat at every doctor's appointment. After 9 months, it's still amazing how the human body creates life from one little egg and one little sperm.

9. You actually believe in love at first sight. As soon as you see that peanut on the ultrasound, you're in love. 13 week ultrasound:



10. Becoming a mom. Noah and I always had plans for children. When we got married, we decided to take time to enjoy being married and enjoy each other. We did that for 2.5 years and I LOVED every minute of it. I look back on our married life so far together and smile. There's nothing I would change. Sure we had our fights but that's not what I remember. I remember all the wonderful memories we've created together and with our friends. I will miss our crazy days of pre-parenthood but couldn't be more excited for this new chapter in our lives.

Things I don't love about being pregnant: (Note: no matter what this list says, it's all MORE than worth it in the end. Most of these are just silly. I want to be pregnant again one day!)

1. No drinking: I miss my wine y'all

2. No teeth whitening/spray tans: can't be vain when you're preggers

3. While I love my new belly, I don't love my arms, butt, boobs, double chin and thighs :) You know when you see a pregnant woman and you think she looks so cute? Yea, I'm not one of those pregnant women.

4. Lack of sleep: I don't sleep well and neither does my husband. I snore so loudly that I keep him up :)

5. Using the ladies' room every 5 minutes: I know where every public restroom is in Richmond!

6. Scared of the unknown: What will labor be like? What if I have to have a C-section? What if I can't breastfeed? How do I take care of a newborn? Postpartum depression? Being intimate with my husband again? Raising a child? Having a social life?

7. Maternity clothes: YUCK

8. People's comments: it amazes me what a person will say to a pregnant woman. Think before you speak people!

9. Hypochondria: I have never been a hypochondriac. But now that I'm pregnant, I worry about every little pain, twinge, etc. I've been to the doctor twice because I thought something was wrong. But I'm a first time mom so it's all new to me. It's amazing how I don't even care about myself anymore. The first thing I think about is the baby.

10. Fatigue: I've been tired my entire pregnancy. It's no fun. I don't have the energy to do anything. I miss my friends.

Overall, I've had a great pregnancy. While it was a surprise, it's been wonderful. I am so blessed to have such supportive friends and family. Having said that, it's time for this little guy to grace us with his presence! I CAN'T wait to meet him and see what he looks like :)

My Agenda

I would say that I'm pretty organized. I'm not obsessive about it but I know where everything is :) One thing in my life that HAS to be organized is my agenda. I know I could use the calendar on my iPhone or gmail but there is something about writing down my social events, to do lists, birthdays, etc. that is curiously satisfying. I like to have everything in one place and I love to cross things off when I complete a task. My roomies from college gave me the best present for my birthday last year, MyAgenda. I don't know where I would be without it! This is a great gift idea - they had mine monogrammed with my name. Not only does it come in different sizes and colors, it has monthly and weekly views and areas to create task lists.

Poolside...

It's 80 degrees in Richmond today and there is only one place I wish I could be...at the pool! My favorite place to be in the summertime is poolside. Any chance I get to relax by the pool, I take it! With summer right around the corner, it's time to stock up on great new bikinis. Here are some of my favorite styles this season: "Silk Butterfly" Bikini by OndadeMar (Top $100, Bottom $92)"Verdad" by Maui Swimwear ($187)

"Riviera" from Vix Swimwear (Top $76, Bottom $76)

Nanette Lepore from Saks (Top $75, Bottom $67)

Nautical Bandeau by Victoria's Secret (Top $34, Bottom $20) Neon Bikini by Victoria's Secret (Top $38, Bottom$44)

Embroidered Bikini by Xhilaration ($14.99 Top, $14.99 Bottom)

My DC/MD Adventure

I had a great weekend with 2 of my best friends! My friend, Sally, who lives in DC, is getting married in Royal Oak, Maryland at the beginning of July. My other friend, Margaret, and I went to visit her for her birthday this past weekend and it was quite an adventure...

Marge and I arrived in DC in the afternoon on Friday and explored Georgetown for a few hours with Sally. We hit up 2 of my favorite spots... Georgetown Cupcakes and CUSP by Neiman Marcus. Georgetown Cupcakes' menu changes daily but there are a few flavors they have everyday (check out their website for more information). When you walk into that shop, it smells like heaven! There was a line wrapped around the corner to taste the little pieces of heaven. My favorite flavor was the "Chocolate PB Chip." YUM. As if we hadn't engorged ourselves enough in the cupcakes, we went to Food Wine & Co for dinner. They have a fabulous oyster bar and a pretty great wine list.

On Saturday, we woke up pretty early (you know I don't believe weekends have "mornings") and headed to Royal Oaks, Maryland. It took us longer than we thought to arrive on account of our inability to follow directions or input an address in a navigation system but we got there nonetheless. Upon arrival, Margaret and I got to see where Sally would have her rehearsal dinner and wedding. We also got to eat dinner at the Bartlett Pear Inn (where Margaret and I will host Sally's bridesmaids luncheon) in Easton, MD. Our dinner was AMAZING. Jordan and Alice Loyd, the owners of the BPI, are so sweet and very accomodating. They turned a 220 year old home into restaurant, lounge and bed and breakfast. It was so quaint but had a modern edge.
If you ever need a quiet weekend away, this would be the perfect place.

After a very long weekend of eating and exploring DC/MD, I was exhausted! I am so excited for Sally and her fiance. I can't wait to celebrate with them this summer!!

The Starbucks Barista is my Best Friend

As soon as Noah and I got married, it started...Everyone began asking the typical newlywed question, "so, when are you going to start having babies?" Seriously, someone asked me that at my wedding. I know it's just natural to ask. My friends who've dated their significant others for a long period of time often get asked, "so, when's he going to pop the question?" When they tell me how irritated they get when asked this question, I say, "just wait 'til you get married. Then everyone will start asking about babies." It never ends.

Something happened to me yesterday that made me wonder...how familiar to a person do you need to be to ask the "baby question"? Family? Friends? Complete Strangers?

Here's what happened...

I'm in Starbucks casually reading emails on my Blackberry when the barista strikes up a conversation with me. The way-too-cheerful barista often talks to me about how my week is going, the weather, and other general small talk. Since I don't function well before noon, I answer sleepily with one word answers. But today, she ventures beyond our normal realm of conversation.

"How long you been married?"
"Almost two years" (Still reading my emails)
"You going to have children soon?"
I look up from my Blackberry and say, "I don't know."
I smile and thank her as she hands me my drink. While walking out the door, I think to myself, "did she really just ask me that? Just because she knows I drink a non-fat, no whip mocha she thinks she knows me well enough to ask that? "

In my opinion, asking someone about starting a family is a very personal question. I think only close friends and family should be allowed to ask. Maybe I'm over thinking the whole thing. She was just trying to be friendly. Either way, I get this question ALL the time.

Noah and I definitely want a family but not right now. We're happy where we are in our lives and we've only been married for 2 years. I don't think our lifestyle is conducive to a baby right now. Taking care of Jeter is hard enough. We are out of town a lot for weddings, we like to go out with friends on the weekends, and sleeping 'til noon on Sundays is typical in the Greenbaum household. So to answer the Starbucks barista (don't even know her name)... Can't say exactly when but we definitley want to be parents someday.

Welcome!

When Noah and I first moved into our house, we worked on it every weekend! The more time we lived in the house, the less we did (and the less we had to do). Recently, we did a home project that I am very excited about... a new storm door! (Who would have thought I would be so excited about a door? New Jimmy Choos...Of course! New Door....Not so much). Our original front door had space for a storm door but no storm door. It looked incomplete. So we purchased a storm door and we painted it a new color. Here are our steps to our new front door (I took these pictures with my cell phone so they aren't the best quality):

The original door was a burnt red color and lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. No wait....I know what it's missing! A storm door!

Noah (with a little help from Jeter) put a primer on the newly installed storm door. We purchased a 6 panel wood storm door from Pleasant's Hardware. If you're planning on purchasing a new door, plan on spending around $1,000 (type of door, hardware, installation, paint, etc....it adds up quickly). Luckily, Noah and his dad are quite handy so we saved around $250 in installation fees.

Noah and I paint the new storm door and the original front door. (Jeter is the best supervisor). We painted the door "Snapdragon" by Benjamin Moore.

Improvement? We think so! Best part about the door? Jeter gets to look out the windows (he loves it!). I am constantly using Windex to remove his nose marks. The new color is a little more pink than we had anticipated. But we've actually grown to love it and no one can miss our door! The new door and the new color are much more welcoming...

I don't know what our next home improvement project will be but I hoping to redo our living room. We've painted it, added great bamboo blinds, new lamps, artwork, and an elegant lattice work rug. All we need is a new sofa and chairs. I am a terrible decorator (a skill my mother and sister have and I lack). I try to read magazines and pick out pieces I like but it's pretty hopeless. I have no vision. My mother convinced me to paint my living room a blue color that I originally HATED. But Noah and I absolutely LOVE the color. It brightens up the room and makes it appear larger. I think I will stick to fashion for people and not homes.

Stock the Bar!

These days we are all weddings, weddings, and more weddings. I love it! This past weekend we went to our friends' stock the bar shower. Noah and I also had a stock the bar shower and it was so much fun. Stock the bar showers are great because they include the groom. Since most showers are for the bride, mothers, and girlfriends, it's nice to include the hubby-to-be! It's a great way for the bride and groom to enjoy drinks with family and friends in a more relaxed environment (while stocking up on wine glasses, liquor and champagne flutes). If you're thinking of throwing a shower for a friend, a stock the bar shower is always a fun option. I adore this invitation from Esty. The couple's monogram on the champagne label is so cute!

If you're attending a stock the bar shower, I love these gift ideas:

These are from Horchow but I also love For Your Party. This online store has a wide selection of colors, font styles and motifs for your cocktail napkins. I've ordered napkins several times from this site and I've never been disappointed.

A cocktail recipe book is always fun. It's nice to get something that relates to the couple. I want to get this book for my stepdad who is from Kentucky (so he obviously loves his bourbon!).


We received a monogrammed Lucite tray at our shower that I use all the time! It's great for the summer when you serve guests outside. This patterned one is unique but I also like the clear ones from Personalization Mall.

I just love weddings (and monograms)! My friend, Caroline, looked gorgeous at her shower. You can always spot a bride, she's the one who's glowing...

Will you be my Valentine??

Happy Valentine's Day!! It's a holiday that people hate, love or love to hate but it's also a day when all women should remember what makes them beautiful and sexy (whether it's for themselves or a loved one). Noah and I had our 1st annual Valentine's Day cocktail party last night and it looks like cupid threw up all over our house... The party was so much fun with some of our favorite Valentines :) I LOVE Valentine's Day. Obviously, I have 2 wonderful Valentines (Noah and Jeter) but any day where we get to decorate with red and pink is my kind of holiday!

I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you some of the things that I think make all women sexy and beautiful...

1. Sexy Legs: women who love to show off their legs are sexy in my book! And what better way to show them off with a pair of HOT heels. For this time of year, I love a great bootie (like the Steve Madden one pictured above). Just remember not to choose a pair that cuts your legs off.

2. Red Dress: I LOVE this Shoshanna one-shouldered dress with the gold beaded accent. Check out a similar one at Bloomingdales. Remember ladies, everyone looks good in black AND red!

3. Eyes: I love a smoky eye as much as a naked eye as long as you're wearing mascara. Accentuating those lashes is just plain sexy. My FAVORITE mascara is Chanel's inimitable in noir. If I could only use one cosmetic product, it would be mascara. My eye lashes are long but also blond (haha) so I have to use mascara!

4. Lips: While we are on the subject of cosmetics, a red lip is the perfect Valentine's Day color. Make those lips irresistible! For everyday, I love a neutral lip gloss.

5. Love Rings: From engagement rings to friendship rings, a love ring is truly special. Do you know why you wear your wedding ring on the 3rd finger of your left hand? People used to believe a vein ran from the 3rd finger of the left hand straight to the heart. It's aptly named "Vena Amori," Latin for "vein of love." I love Finn's arrow rings. Be sure to check out their lower end line, Minor Obsessions, for simply chic necklaces and bracelets. Noah gave me their heart & key bracelet for Valentine's Day. It's adorable.

6. Laughter: There is nothing more sexy or beautiful to me than a woman's laughter. One of my favorite things about Noah is his sense of humor. The way he constantly cracks me up makes me feel beautiful.

So ladies, what makes you feel sexy and beautiful this Valentine's Day??

XOXO

Addicted

I started my New Years Resolutions on Monday. That means I made it exactly 39 hours and 57 minutes without diet coke.

Maybe next year (but probably not). I guess I should just invest in this Diet Coke bong and move on...

Resolutions?

HAPPY 2011 EVERYONE!!! Can you believe another year has come and gone?? I'm currently sitting in the Destin, Florida airport waiting to fly back to Richmond. We rang in the New Year with college friends in Destin and had an AMAZING time! Our friend from Memphis has a family beach house in Destin and invited us down to celebrate the new year. We haven't seen him since the wedding so we couldn't resist the opportunity for a reunion. Noah was very excited to be reunited with 2 of his college roomies!! We spent 4 days with 10 great friends from Memphis, Richmond and DC. On New Year's Eve we went to Rum Runners (which overlooks water). When midnight rolled around, we stood on the balcony of the bar and watched what could possibly be the BEST fireworks display ever!!!

So I have a few hours to kill while I'm sitting in this airport.... Noah and I got an iPad for Christmas so I figured I could pass the time with a blog post. I just finished reading my horoscope in Glamour Magazine which says, "This year you'll keep all those New Year's resolutions." I'm very skeptical because I've never actually stuck to any of my New Year's resolutions (which makes me wonder why I ever have any). But this year I am determined to make it happen. So here they are (in no particular order):

1. Be healthy
2. Be on time

Only 2? Yes, only 2 - I just told you I never stick to any resolution so why should I overdo it? Let me elaborate on my 2 resolutions:

HEALTH: Overall, 2010 was a fantastic year! It was our first full year as a married couple and we had a blast. There was never a dull moment and we have some wonderful memories. But with our hectic social schedule, our eating and exercise habits fell to the wayside. Now that none of our clothes fit, it's time to exercise, eat more green things, and give up (gasp!) Diet Coke. Giving up Diet Coke will probably be the hardest thing. I've quit DC several times but it's never stuck. My mom still yells at me if she catches me drinking it. We didn't grow up with soft drinks in the house because my mother thinks they are poison (which I think is a little dramatic). I know it's bad for me but they are SO good in the afternoon and I only drink 1 each day.

Do you know that in the winter your body wants to gain wait? According to Glamour Magazine, here are a few things that most nutritionists can agree on:
- Don't smoke (even occasionally)
- Move 30 minutes a day
- De-stress
- Sleep at least 7 hours every night
- Eat breakfast
- Take a multivitamin daily
- Get 2,000 IU daily of Vitamin D
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds several times a day

NO MORE TARDINESS: I am always late and it's not my fault. I come from a family of people who are consistently late. My father is usually late and my mother is ALWAYS late (I was the last one to be picked up from school everyday - the teachers hated my mom). It's in my genes. I try to be on time (I really do!). This year I am going to try EXTRA hard! It's a terrible fault and it's something I want to change about myself. Noah is also usually late (as is his father).

By the way, my New Year Resolutions start tomorrow because the past two days have been filled with no exercise, few veggies, and lots of diet coke. Give me a break, I was on vacation!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!