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Nursery Gallery Wall

DSC_0445I absolutely love gallery walls – we now have them in three rooms of the house. I had been pining a few prints here and there for Isla’s room and recently pulled the trigger on all of them. I wanted to add some color to the very monochromatic room (lots of gold, cream beige, white), but didn’t want anything too bold. After buying the prints, I spent a few weeks scouring frames, then spent last Sunday cutting out kraft paper versions of the frames and arranging and rearranging them on the wall. The whole process takes quite awhile, but it’s totally worth it. I have some space on the left and right to expand the collection if desired!

Do you have a gallery wall in your house?

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Top, left to right: Ryan Ray wedding photo, Be You Sugar Paper LA print, Anthropologie giraffe hook, Baby Elephant The Animal Print Shop print, Creme de la Creme Sugar Paper LA card

Bottom, left to right: Ryan Ray wedding photo, Anthropologie elephant hook, Always and Forever Rifle Paper Co. card, Animal Parade Rifle Paper Co. print

West Elm Graham Glider

Deciding on the baby glider or recliner is a big decision – as new moms, we’re about to spend a lot of time nursing there, as well as many years to come reading our little ones stories on the chair at night. Sasha and I looked at Pottery Barn Kids, RH Baby and Child, Land of Nod, Serena and Lily – we liked a lot of the chairs, but none of them seemed just right for our house/Isla’s room. I saw the Graham Glider online at West Elm and loved it, but wasn’t convinced until 1) my good friend, Mara, told me that they had just bought it, and 2) we both sat in in and decided it was “the one.” We ordered the Pebble Weave chair in Oatmeal, as well as the matching ottoman. We were told that they take 8-10 weeks to arrive (ours came in 7!). It arrived on Saturday, and I seriously could not be more pleased. Pictures below!

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Gold polka dot pillow from Anthropologie

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New accent ceramic jug vase and flowers – also from West Elm

My Maternity Style

hatchAs soon as I found out I was pregnant, I frantically started searching online for maternity clothes and pregnancy fashion blogs. I had no clue where to start! Shortly after I found out, J. Crew launched their line of maternity pants (still anxiously awaiting more selections!), and then found myself buying tons of blouses from Loft’s maternity line (love these so much). I officially retired my old jeans three weeks ago, and am hanging onto my J. Crew Cafe Capris for dear life (very little time left in those!). This has meant that I’ve been on the market for some fashionable work pants – which I found at J. Crew and Asos. I bought two pairs of J. Crew’s J. Crew’s non-materity draped drawstring pants, which work well for my growing waistline, as well as two pairs of their maternity Minnie Pants. I also really like J. Crew’s white matchstick denim pants, but love my Hudson maternity jeans the most! These Asos floral camo pants could not be more comfortable – match them with a black blouse and they work for going out for dinner or going to the office.

As for dresses, I’ve been looking for empire waistlines or tunics and buying 2 to 3 sizes up to be cautious. Anthropologie has a great selection – I love this tan and coral tunic with my white matchstick denim.

Without a doubt, my favorite maternity line is Hatch Collection. After looking at their stuff non-stop for the last few weeks, I finally caved and bought this dress (in Ponte) and these shorts. I want to buy everything.

J. Crew, Loft, Asos, TopShop, H&M, Old Navy, Gap, Rachel Pally, Hatch Collection – know of any other fashionable maternity lines? Always looking for some new options, although I only have 12 weeks left! Here’s to hoping they fly by.

Some of my favorite recent purchases featured below – links at the bottom!

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1) Loft, 2) Anthropologie, 3) Loft, 4) Loft, 5) Loft, 6) Anthropologie, 7) Anthropologie, 8) Anthropologie, 9) J. Crew, 10) J. Crew, 11) Hatch Collection, 12) Asos, 13) J. Crew, 14) Hudson

Top and featured image via Hatch Collection

Favorite Looks of the Week

I haven’t done a ‘favorite looks of the week’ in ages – which isn’t to say that I haven’t been obsessing over my favorite bloggers’ outfits. As always, it’s hard to pick a favorite from the group, but I especially love Jacey’s (Damsel in Dior) floral blouse, Rachel’s (Pink Peonies) neon heels, and every part of Christine’s (Hello Fashion) outfit. She makes being pregnant look so cute. She is definitely going to be my style icon over for the 12.5 weeks (time is flying!) – even though she’s due very soon! Which look do you like the most?

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Sequins & Stripes

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Damsel in Dior

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Could I Have That?

Christine Hello Fashion Blog Pregnant

Hello Fashion

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Native Fox

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Song of Style
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Ivory Lane

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With Love from Kat

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Vanilla Extract

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Brooklyn Blonde

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Atlantic Pacfic

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Pink Peonies

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Gal Meets Glam

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Classy Girls Wear Pearls

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Classy Girls Wear Pearls

San Francisco Travel Guide

I was in San Francisco last weekend and on the flight there, I did a little math to figure out how many times I’ve visited the Bay Area in the past 3 years – nine! If that’s not an indication of how much I love San Francisco, I don’t know what is! We got married in Napa last July, so we made a couple of trips for planning, but most have been for fun. My sister-in-law and one of my best friends both work for Google in Mountain View, so I’ve always got a place to stay (and the best hosts!). If you haven’t been before, or if you want some of my tried-and-true suggestions, please reference the list of my favorite food, drink spots and activities below! Also, please offer any recommendations – I’ll be going back again soon (hopefully!), and always love to try new places.

Other San Francisco posts here. Pictures from this weekend below! Find a Google map with these locations here.

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Favorite Restaurants/Drinks

  • The Plant (Various): Hands-down, one of my favorite restaurants in America – there are so many delicious vegetarian options that I rarely order the same thing twice (try them all!)
  • Radish (The Mission): The veggie burger is so unique and delicious – very nutty (add cheese!)
  • Mission Cheese (The Mission): A cheese and wine lovers dream
  • Dosa (Pacific Heights): The Indian food here is melt-in-your-mouth delicious – try the paneer masala dish
  • Zazie’s (Haight Ashbury): Holy cow – the line here is indicative of how good the food is – come early for breakfast!!
  • La Boulangerie (Various): Starbucks didn’t decide to use La Boulange baked goods for no reason! I live for the coffee + oatmeal in the humongous ceramic bowls
  • Tacolicious (Various): I wouldn’t normally recommend Mexican food this far from the border, but it’s worth it! Amazing guacamole and Marina Girl Salad (YUM)
  • Helmand Palace (Russian Hill): My first taste of Afghani food and I hope not my last! Be adventurous!
  • Kokkari (Financial District): Hands down, my favorite restaurant in SF – the baked feta appetizer is all you really need, but you’ll want and love everything else too
  • Sweet Maple (Pacific Heights): Famous for their bacon, this place has some amazing veggie/vegan options (great salads and oatmeal)
  • Millenium (Tenderloin): One of the best all-vegetarian restaurants I’ve ever been to… get a bunch of dishes amongst your table and share!
  • Reveille Coffee Co (Financial District and Mission Bay – my favorite location!): Modern, glass wall coffee shop with amazing drip coffee and the tastiest homemade granola you’ll ever try
  • Woods Polk Station (Russian Hill): Tiny little beer (and wine) bar with a selection of empanadas (the cheesy aroma will lure you in)
  • The Brick Yard (Cow Hollow): This yuppie bar has a great atmosphere and gets pretty darn crowded during happy hour
  • Rickhouse (Financial District): I’m obsessed with the front doors alone, but the entire bar (quiet lounge area upstairs) is really cool (with great cocktails!!)
  • Cultive (Cow Hollow): My favorite frozen yogurt in San Francisco – the flavors taste fresh and not artificial (or as anti-artificial as cookies ‘n cream froyo can be!)]
  • Souvla (Hayes Valley): A very simple Greek menu, but the most delicious meal and make sure to order the Greek frozen yogurt… seriously heaven on earth!
  • Smitten Ice Cream (Hayes Valley): The eclectic flavors taste a little different than what you may be used to, but I’d sample them all! Delicious.
  • House of Nanking (Chinatown): Get to this (rather) hole-in-the-wall Asian restaurant in Chinatown early if you don’t want to stand in line outside! It’s that good! I got two tofu dishes and was in heaven – and stuffed!!
  • Greens (Marina): Ah, this vegetarian restaurant has my heart! The glass windows look out onto the Golden Gate Bridge, and Sasha (a carnivore) recently said the stuffed pepper was his favorite dish of our entire vacation!
  • Jane on Fillmore (Fillmore): This tiny cafe has a simple, but delicious menu, and is perfect for a ladies lunch.
  • The Mill (Fillmore): Amazing coffee spot near Alamo Square Park – gorgeous interior!

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Restaurants on My “Must Try” List

Betelnut, Umami Burger, Presidio Social Club, and Outerlands

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Favorite Activities

  • Mingle with the hipsters and sip on Ritual Coffee in the Mission or Reveille Coffee (various locations, but Mission Bay is the best/prettiest/offers more food – on this map)
  • Rent a GoCar and drive around the city in this baby-sized Smart Car
  • Grab San Francisco’s famous Blue Bottle at the iconic Ferry Building
  • Sip on New Orleans style iced coffee from Blue Fog Market
  • Act like a paparazzi in front of the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Shop at boutiques on Union and Fillmore Streets and in Hayes Valley
  • Explore Chinatown
  • Smell the amazing bread being freshly made at Boudin Bakery at Fisherman’s Wharf
  • Reminisce the greatness of Full House and sit in the park in Alamo Square (love the Painted Ladies!) – grab a coffee at The Mill beforehand!
  • Take pictures on and walk down Lombard Street
  • Go to the gorgeous sandy beaches of Point Reyes (where we took our engagement pictures)
  • Check out the redwood trees at Muir Woods
  • Go to Dolores Park to play, or if you’re getting coffee at Reveille in Mission Bay, then go to the Mission Bay Kid’s Park

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Activities on my “Must Do” List

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Other City Tours

ParisDurango (Colorado)AustinHoustonBaliWashington, DC

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Me (6.5 months preggo belly!) and Georgia