isla – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Personal June 4, 2019

Happy Fifth Birthday, Isla Milijana!

Five years ago today, our sweet Isla was born. Time has truly flown by. It feels like yesterday, I was holding her for the first time at the hospital. And just then, I blinked and she was one. Soon after, she turned two, then it was three, and last year, she became our big four year old.

Sasha and I always talk about how proud we are of this not-so-little girl of ours. She constantly worries about others’ feelings and their happiness. Yesterday, she asked if she could have a piece of gum (her favorite special treat!), and asked if I wanted a piece too. I said “Yes,” but when she went to the pantry, there was only one piece left. I told her she could have it to herself, but she refused and bit it into two pieces. It’s a silly anecdote, but it’s a very real representation of how she is always thinking of others.

Week in Review November 2, 2015

Week in Review

Happy November! 52 days until Christmas! Can you believe it? I wish I was one of those savvy shoppers who had all of their holiday shopping completed by September, but alas, I am a last minute dash-to-the-store (ahem, order on Amazon Prime) people. The last few years, I’ve asked for practical gifts for Christmas, like things for Isla or for our house, and this year, I’m rebelling against that (much to Sasha’s chagrin – sorry babe!). Have you thought about what you’re going to put on your list? Do you even make a physical list or does your family and/or significant other just know you really well?

Last week’s Halloween festivities were a lot of fun and were kicked off by the ‘Mummy and Me’ party that my friend Destiny hosted (my post here and her post here with pictures). Isla dressed up in her cotton candy costume that I made last weekend. It was so big, and I laughed so hard I cried when she first tried it on, but I think she looked adorable!

Then, on Saturday (actual Halloween), we dressed Isla up as a cat in the morning so that she could get the most out of the day. Some of the kids at the Lifetime gym were so incredibly adorable, and I especially loved Olivia’s Minnie costume, Truman’s skunk costume, Kristine’s family’s Frozen costumes, Whitney and Milan’s fox costumes (an ode to their last name), Mila’s ballerina costume, and so many others.

The only low point of the week (besides all of the rain canceling even more family photo sessions!) was coming home on Friday after getting a mani/pedi to Isla having a huge knot and gash on her head. This is what happens when Daddy babysits while sports are on TV! Isla was climbing and fell face first towards our stone coffee table. The gash is still there and the bruise now looks green, but it’s definitely healing quickly thanks to my sweet friends’ suggestions (helpful hints here!).

Besides the tumble, our week was full of positive moments, including:

Taking photos for Destiny and Elly at City Centre – these two ladies are so gorgeous and stylish to boot. Love taking their pictures!
Doing family photos for the Goates in Katy. Nora’s cuteness kills me.
Having our photos with Paige Budde at Menil (sneak peek here) and then taking photos of our friends in the evening (see cute fake snow pictures below!)!
Having our cousins and their sweet kiddos over for dinner on Wednesday. It’s so fun for the kids to play together! Isla was up way past her bedtime and loved it.
Taking photos for Alex and Jessica at River Oaks District, which has the coolest backdrops ever, and I’ll be so disappointed when they’re all taken down in lieu of Cartier, Dior, Gucci, etc.
Getting my eyebrows done at Brows by Jackie in Rice Village. It’s only the second time I’ve ever had them waxed, but I’m working on the whole arched brow thing. We’ll see how this progresses!
Meeting my friend Megan at Sweet Paris to catch up and for hugs. I love her! So talented and never fails to make me laugh!
Attending a Andrea Montgomery jewelry event with some other lovely Houston bloggers. Andrea is so talented and incredibly sweet. I cannot wait to share more details from the event!
Going ‘apple picking’ in our yard! Isla is obsessed (understatement) with apples – it’s all she wants to eat. I strung them with wire and hung them in the trees in our yard, and you would have thought she had won the lottery when she ran full speed out of our back door. She took a bite or two from each one and pulled them down. It was so fun!
Watching Fantastic Mr. Fox for 15-20 minutes every night and finally finishing it – we loved it! We’ve now seen every Wes Anderson movie except The Darjeeling Limited. Have you watched it? There are very mixed reviews!
Reading Meg’s book – 99 Problems and a Baby Ain’t One – it is so funny. I was laughing out loud at multiple spots (with Sasha sleeping in bed next to me!). I recommend it!
Attending a Instagram Styling Workshop hosted by Cake & Confetti with Michelle Able – love this dream team!
Getting my first manicure/pedicure done in about 5 months at Paradise Nails – of course, I came home to Isla’s booboo and then had Belle (our pup) smudge my nails with her paws causing Sasha say, “It’s just not meant to be.” #momlife
Going to the Shop 1975 pop-up with Jessica in Rice Village and meeting the two sweet (and super stylish) owners!
Scouting locations all around town for a few hours while Isla napped and finding some fun ones to add to my photo guide! I rarely scout because Isla is normally with me, so it was nice to just drive aimlessly around Houston.

PS I read this post by Whitney today and love it. It’s about ‘living in the now’ and such a refreshing reminder that the social media pressures of today are so trivial and that life is about so much more than like, comment and follower counts. Thanks, Whitney, for sharing.

Personal February 23, 2015

Week in Review

I seriously had the best week ever, so much appreciation to all of my lovely friends who made me feel extra special on my birthday. I was surprised by the most gorgeous flowers delivered from my sweet friend Mara (of Hook, Thread and Tinker) – the only way I would have been more excited about the delivery would have been if she had been at my doorstep instead of thousands of miles away in chilly Chicago! I also got beautiful flowers from my three close friends from high school, and have them spread around the house, bringing happiness to various corners! It’s incredible the joy that florals can bring.

In addition to birthday festivities (more details below), one of my best friends, Kirby, was in town with her husband, Brett, and daughter, Lillian (more about this tiny little angel here!). I am so incredibly grateful for the time we were able to spend together (as they live in Oklahoma City), and Sasha is too, as he loves Brett.

We had dinner at her brother and sister-in-law’s house on Friday, then went to her parent’s house during the day on Saturday and celebrated Mardi Gras together at our mutual friend’s parents house on Saturday night. I wish they lived here so badly, but I’ll take action packed visits as a second best option any day!

Some other exciting things that took place this week include:

Getting treated to birthday lunch by my best friend, McKenzie, and her wonderful boyfriend, Bryan – we ate at True Food Kitchen, and I’m officially obsessed
Eating birthday dinner with Sasha and Isla at Rosie Carrabba’s, which is one of our favorite spots in the city (and his ‘Holy Ship, it’s your birthday!’ card still has be laughing)
Celebrating my birthday with my family at Benjy’s on Washington on Saturday for lunch – their beet hummus and Brussels sprouts are phenomenal
Meeting Sasha during his lunch break at Zoe’s Kitchen on Monday – his office is only 15 minutes away, so getting to see him for a bit during the day is such a treat
Going to lunch with two co-worker friends on Friday at none other than Ruggles Green – so much fun to chat with them, especially since the main topic of conversation was blogging!
Feeding Isla restaurant food – she had a chicken skewer at Zoe’s Kitchen, a grilled chicken breast at Benjy’s and Carrabba’s, and guacamole and quinoa from A Moveable Feast – it makes our meals a smidgen more expensive, but we love watching her feed herself like a tiny human (and these stick-on mats are necessary now!)
Sleeping – although Sasha and I both feel exhausted from the busy week, Isla has slept from 6:30 pm – 7:30am every night this week, and I’m praying it’s not just a fluke… I want to get used to that!
Planning the final wedding details with Amanda, who surprised me with gorgeous tulips, delicious vegan cookies from Whole Foods and an amazing card on my birthday!
Getting a manicure and pedicure at Paradise Nails while Isla’s Baba (Sasha’s mom) babysat – it was such a treat, and I’m definitely going to try to keep it up (typically terrible at this…)
Going to Sephora and being surprised by my birthday gift, which was two NARS lipsticks – my favorite gift they’ve ever given!
Catching up with one of my best friends, Paola, who moved to Honduras after their wedding in Mexico City last fall and I miss her so much it’s insane! I did not want to get off the phone!
Spending way too much money at The Monogram Shop – that place is dangerous (if you live in Houston, you need to go)
Spending the night at my parent’s house after the Mardi Gras party and waking up with the entire family there – my two sisters had spent the night too!
Buying and setting up new furniture for our bedroom as gifts from my parents – they also got me the Audrey Lamp, which has been on my birthday and Christmas lists for years!
Heading to Memorial Park during a patch of sunshine on Sunday and doing the 3-mile loop together (and Isla’s straw hat does me in every time!)

You can also follow along during the week by following on Instagram! How was your week? What were the highlights?

Week in Review January 12, 2015

Week in Review

Happy Monday! It feels like the rain has not stopped in months here in Houston, although it’s only been a few weeks. I do not know how people survive in a city like Seattle, where rain is the norm, as I’m about to go stir crazy. Before having Isla, I could still leave the house, knowing I would just dash out of my car and under cover. Now that I have to go around the side of the car, get her car seat out and sometimes her stroller too, I end up drenched if I try to brave the rain… so lately, I haven’t been. Dear mother nature, please stop.

Besides the weather, the past week was very productive. Preparations for the wedding shower we’re hosting at the house are underway, which unfortunately for Sasha meant scrubbing the grout in our kitchen on Saturday night and applying a new layer of sealant. Fun times at the Petrovic household!

Some of the main highlights from the week include:

Isla’s giggle fit at my terrible cheerleading jumps – watch here!
A trip to Thompson+Hanson for some flowers – I am obsessed with this nursery [as well as the attached restaurant – Tiny Boxwoods]
Finding a dress [option #1 at least] for the shower – the Aubrey dress by Equipment [this one, but in pink]
Meeting Alexis and sweet little Kevin at True Food Kitchen for the first time [it’s so good – definitely heading back again soon]
Isla asking McKenzie to be her Godmother [she accepted, thank goodness!]
Adding strawberries, raspberries and fusilli pasta to Isla’s current food menu [avocados, carrots, apples, bananas and sweet potatoes] – going to try broccoli and cauliflower next!
Hosting a dinner party and playing the most outrageously fun games – Cards Against Humanity and Head’s Up [Ellen DeGeneres’ iPhone game]
Receiving these gorgeous workout pants and this comfy top from Albion – you’ll see more of them soon!
Finally breaking into the winter diaper patterns from Honest Co. – the bears are my favorite ones
Celebrating Serbian Christmas Eve service in Galveston on Tuesday and then Serbian Christmas in town on Wednesday – it’s so nice to get to party twice in one year!
Receiving our three Little Animal Print Shop darlings in the mail and hanging them immediately in the playroom
Packaging up the invitations for the shower and getting them shipped out (nothing like being last minute!) as well as getting together with the hostesses to plan everything out!

How was your week? What were your highlights?

Isla's Christmas with Carter's November 10, 2014

Isla’s First Christmas with Carter’s: Family Photos (Giveaway)

My absolute favorite time of the year is the holiday season. Halloween gives way to Thanksgiving, which means Christmas is right around the corner. I get giddy when lights start to be strung on trees in the neighborhood and when wreaths and ornaments begin to adorn shops across the city. There is so much joy in this season, and I am incredibly excited for Isla to celebrate her first Christmas.

We have many family traditions associated with Christmas, and this week, I’m going to share all of them, including our annual family photo, Christmas Eve candlelight church service, opening stockings in our PJs on Christmas morning, getting dressed up to open presents under the tree, and then lounging around after a festive lunch and playing with our gifts.

As I mentioned here, my family has taken family photos for the last 18 years (ever since we moved to Texas from Scotland). We take them every November to use for our annual Christmas card, as well as to be framed around the house. I knew that as soon as Sasha and I had babies, we would keep the tradition alive as well. We were lucky enough to have our pictures taken by the very talented Paige Budde of Awake Photography. I am so pleased with how they turned out and highly recommend her to anyone living in Texas (she’s based in Houston, too!).

One of the most important decisions when it comes to family photos is everyone’s outfits. For this year’s photos, I chose a red French Connection dress and Sasha wore a J. Crew button-down and khakis. After picking our outfits, Isla was next. Thankfully, Carter’s offers classic styles and coordinated looks that are perfect for family photos, so I had the best selection of pretty dresses to choose from in their Holiday Collection (think lots of bright plaids and colorful patterns). I had the hardest time picking just one, but knew that too many outfit changes would result in a not-so-happy Isla. I decided on the classic Rosette and Lace dress in ivory, as it was a neutral color which was easy for Sasha and I to complement with our outfit choices. Since it was chilly outside, I put on these sweet Glitter Bow Tights and kept her feet warm in little sparkly gold shoes. Both Isla and I wore matching floral crowns by the very talented Jess Hamilton.

Carter’s has a ton of great options for siblings too – both their girl and boy selections are adorable. My favorite choices for little boy’s outfits are the Poplin Plaid Bodysuit with Jeans and the Jersey Henley Tee with Twill Pants.

In celebration of Isla’s first Christmas, I’m partnering with Carter’s to give one lucky individual a $100 Carter’s gift card, as well as one of the outfits (boy or girl) featured during the week-long series. Enter the giveaway below (so many entry options) to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure to visit Snapshots and My Thoughts again tomorrow to see more sweet photos of Isla, and good luck with the giveaway!