Inspiration – Page 3 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Baby August 19, 2014

Week 5 in Durango

Week five has come and gone, and ohmygosh, I am not ready to go back to the ‘real world’ (i.e. Texas). However, I do miss everyone like crazy, and cannot wait to hug all of my family and friends. This past week flew by in anticipation of one of my best friends, Kirby, arriving on Thursday. I managed to run every day this past week, clock between 13,000-20,000 steps every day, enjoy short hikes to the top of a nearby mountain in the mornings, continue my Illustrator 101 and Floral Arranging 101 classes, work on the blog (some fun giveaways coming up soon!), and spend lots of time with Sasha, Belle (our dog) and sweet Isla. We also hiked the 6 mi. trail of the Animas Mountain together for the first time – Sasha and I did it last Labor Day when we were visiting (see photos here).

As you can tell from the thousands of photos below, I love taking pictures of Isla’s cute face, because I know I won’t have as much time to once we are back in Houston (and because she cannot yet tell me to stop).

In case you want to keep track of our Colorado sabbatical, you can also read about Week 1, Weeks 2 and 3, and Week 4.

Isla being sassy in her Carter’s Romper (similar here) – that last face kills me – her personality is shining through

Pretty in pink (and white!)

Cheesin’ it up

Hot pink is my absolute favorite (similar bodysuit here)

Someone was none-too-pleased with us taking photos before she got to eat ‘lunch’

Bows on bows on bows (buy dress here) – and Sophie the Giraffe making an appearance (and Isla loves her hands if you can’t tell!)

I swear this isn’t a hunger cue, Isla just adores her hands (praying this is ‘self soothing’!)

Kisses from her ‘Tata’ and (the much dreaded) tummy time (similar outfit here)

Saturday mornings are for PJs and superman time with dad

Her hair is seriously out of control, but I love it

Isla’s little Gap peplum top and leggings

This was taken after five minutes in her new heaven – i.e. the Skip Hop Treetop Friends Activity Gym… she’s enamored (this is a GREAT baby shower gift)

Loving the views from the top of the Animas Mountain – Isla loves the view from over my shoulder (her favorite holding position)

Vegan ice cream at Cream Bean Berry – my one true weakness!

Isla LOVES (eating) this lovie!

A sneak preview of my first homework assignment from Floral Arranging 101 (more to come tomorrow!)

Three weeks left! Have a great day. xo

Baby August 14, 2014

The J. Crew Family

I absolutely adore J. Crew, and as the primary shopper of the family, Sasha and Isla inadvertently wear lots and lots of J. Crew too. I especially love a lot of the summer to fall items that J. Crew has right now. In fact, there’s a 25% off sale for these styles with the code NOWANDLATER. I received my seasonal reward card (sometimes hundreds of dollars off due to J. Crew card spendings!). I spent ages on my phone (while feeding, of course) trying to decide what to buy with the gift card. We recently ordered Sasha a pair of the 7” Stanton Shorts – nice and short for my favorite pair of legs, as well as the Heidi Long Dress for me (for an upcoming wedding in Mexico!), and the Flower Patch Tank for Isla. I decided on some of the items below – I love this assortment of J. Crew outfits for the entire family. The only non-J. Crew item are the sweet felt bows for Isla which are from A Little Lady Shop.

Have you bought anything from J. Crew recently that you love?

The Mrs.

Barrett Suede Ankle Boots // Broken-in Boyfriend Jean in Abbott Wash // Classic Silk Blouse // Panama Hat // Origami Necklace

The Mr.

Broken-in Chino in Urban Slim Fit // Classic MacAlister Boots in Suede // Secret Wash Shirt in Orange Check // Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses // Ebbets Field Flannels for J. Crew Homestead Grays Ball Cap (Similar)

& The Little Miss

Baby Tunic in Liberty Nina Taylor Floral // Baby Everyday Leggings (Neon Corral) // Baby Salt-Water Sandals // Baby Oeuf Cat Bib // A Little Lady Shop Felt Bows

Personal August 13, 2014

Week 4 in Durango

We have almost been in Durango for a month, and time is literally flying by, which is giving me anxiety. I am not ready to return to Houston, although I would give anything to hug my friends and family. In the past week, we have seen multiple deer lingering in our yard and our neighbors, taken (almost) daily walks to the local handcrafted ice cream shop – Cream Bean Berry, gone on 2-mi. morning walks with the beautiful crisp air, finished Photo 101, started Floral Arranging 101, and learning so much in Illustrator 101. We also visited Sutcliffe Vineyards, ate at Carver’s Brewery (dying over their veggie burger), and Sasha’s mom, her friend, my sister, and her boyfriend all visited. It was a busy week, but we enjoyed every second of it. One of my best friends arrives next week with her baby, Lillian, who was born 26 days after Isla. I cannot wait!

Isla’s Baby Gap romper – love that bow at the waist (similar here)

Daily walks to the Animas River with the whole family are the highlight of my day

Jill is already one strike down on the babysitting tally (re: drinking and holding)! // Dinner at Grassburger happens far too often

This is the face she makes when she is gurgling – totally purses her little lips (more of this outfit here)

Isla loves to fist pump in her Gap Star Bubble Bodysuit (now on sale!)

My hair is now in constant pony tails because she loves to grab things – like her dad’s Serbian Orthodox chain necklace

Pattern play in her Carter’s top, Baby Gap striped pants and Trumpette socks

Hanging out on one of her Mimi’s colorful quilts

Belle is in heaven

Straight CHEESIN’ – in her J. Crew tank in flower patch and Baby Gap shorts

I couldn’t love her any more

Going on a walk in my J. Crew tank (I live in these), Nordstrom fedora (similar) and Chloe sunglasses (similar) – Isla’s Baby Gap hat looks like a mushroom here!

Ready to play fetch

Practicing standing with her Tata

One happy little patriotic sailor

I want this Janie and Jack romper for myself! I love the bow on the back

Baby August 8, 2014

Pink Lemonade Party Inspiration

I have long loved bright pink and yellow paired together – à la pink lemonade. When I saw this tank and these shorts on sale at Carters, buying them was a no-brainer. Isla’s outfit reminded me of the cutest Pink Lemonade Soiree I saw ages ago on Hostess with the Mostess. I love the idea of a pink lemonade themed party! I’m getting ahead of myself, but I already let my mind wander to Isla’s first birthday party. These celebrations end up being huge events! See some pictures below for inspiration. Most are from the Pink Lemonade Soiree, others from Kara’s Party Ideas, and others from Pinterest.

What are other cute toddler party themes you’ve seen?

Also, one last reminder that the MAM pacifier giveaway ends tonight at midnight!

Announcement July 31, 2014

Isla’s Rifle Paper Co. Inspired Birth Announcements

At long last, Isla’s birth announcements have been sent! I am so relieved to have completed this major project – one which started well before she was born! I did the calligraphy on all 100 envelopes prior to her birth (thank goodness!), cut the envelope liners using this Rifle Paper Co. wrapping paper, stamped our return address using a custom stamp from Angelique Ink, and created the design for the announcement (which was printed by Czar Press). When Isla arrived, all I had left to do was update the design with the appropriate information, get it printed, have Isla’s photos taken by Taylor Lord and printed locally, add the photos to the glassine bags, punch holes, tie bows, and voila – done. Whew. Yes, I am exhausted, but so happy to have finished my second big project (first being Sasha’s graduation announcements). Baby number two will likely have an e-card (ha!).