domesticity

Thanks for all the well wishes! We are very excited and looking forward to adding to our little family!

Anyone have any tips for me on how to pick a crib mattress? I think we’ve decided on a crib from Pottery Barn Kids, but I am unsure if we should also purchase a lullaby crib mattress (and if so, the standard or supreme?) or if other brands have received better reviews. I am seriously considering joining Consumer Reports just so I can get the lowdown on newborn necessities.

I was craving something chocolately, so my husband baked these easy chocolate croissants for me. Super easy, yummy, and requires only two ingredients... refrigerated crescent rolls and semi-sweet chocolate chips. I think I’ll be craving these more often! Hmm... wonder what else can fill these croissants before baking?

Image courtesy of Real Simple.

I have been a bad, bad blogger... but I have a good reason for being away. As you may have guessed from the image accompanying this post, we are expecting a new addition to our family in July. The first trimester was incredibly difficult as I was suffering from all-day, every-day sickness. Luckily, my doctor prescribed Zofran to get me through the worst of it and now that I am in my second trimester, I am feeling so much better. Since I finally have my energy back, I can’t wait to tackle all the projects set aside during those dark days. One of these projects is decorating the nursery, so if you have any helpful advice or favorite, cannot-live-without baby items... please, please share them with this soon-to-be first-time mommy!

My week in review...

Buying...

Winter-season heels and boots from endless.com. I love the free overnight shipping and return shipping, not to mention the great selection... and I am not even a shoe person!

Eating...

Ambrosetti Fiorelli... a handmade biscotti cookie with raspberry filling. So delicious! I’ve also sampled the Occhi al Cioccolato (chocolate) version and can’t wait to try the Fragolini (Strawberry) and Occhi Bue (Apricot).

Reading...

Just finished reading Outtakes from a Marriage by Ann Leary... a funny and easy weekend read.

Since Halloween has never been one of my favorite holidays (for some reason I have never enjoyed dressing up in costume), I usually just skip right ahead to Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was already thinking about holiday decorations for my home when I stumbled across this blizzard snowflake runner from Chiasso. I have been obsessed lately with laser cut designs and the thick white wool felt would be so pretty against the dark wood of our dining room table.

My week in review...

Buying...

A pumpkin baby t-shirt from the dollar section at Target for our kitten. I don’t think I would ever dress our kitten up on a regular basis, but it was fun to put this on him in anticipation of Halloween. I also didn’t think he would like wearing the shirt, but he actually purred quite loudly while he was wearing it. He is such a sweet kitten!

Eating...

Choco-pan from the bakery section at Uwajimaya. I love this sweet bread roll filled with chocolate cream. Definitely one of my favorite treats!

Reading...

Nordic Knitting from Kinokuniya Bookstores. I really want to attempt knitting the chain link scarf featured on the cover. I think it would be a fun project to help me practice knitting with double-pointed needles.

Last week was our kitten’s first birthday. As a special treat, we presented him with a little bit of tuna fish (which he goes crazy for) along with a birthday candle. If you look closely in the photo, you’ll realize that he got a little too close to the candle and singed some of his whiskers! Poor kitty... I don’t think he was even fazed by the burnt whiskers, he was too excited about the tuna fish!

On my way into work the other day, I decided to skip my usual shaken iced green tea at Starbucks and try one of their new signature hot chocolates. Since I am still nursing a sore throat, I sampled the salted caramel version. While I loved the sweet and salty combination, I doubt this drink will become my new daily beverage order… especially since the drink is pretty high in calorie content (think fast food burger-sized calories!).

I am almost recovered from a horrendous cold that sidelined me for over two weeks. During this time, I have drank more orange juice, sucked on more cough drops, wadded up more tissue, read more books, and slept more consecutive hours than I have in a long, long time. While I have enjoyed having some time to rest and recuperate, I am really looking forward to being 100 percent better so I can get started on some holiday projects.

My week in review...

Buying...

Tailored dresses like this textured belted dress from Banana Republic. Not sure if my new obsession with adding classic, tailored pieces to my wardrobe is from watching too many episodes of Mad Men, but I can’t get enough of them!

Eating...

Portobello Mushroom Ravioli from California Pizza Kitchen. Instead of choosing between the Italian tomatoes, fresh basil and garlic or garlic-Parmesan cream sauce, on the advice of our waitress I ordered the two mixed into a “pink” sauce that was divine! Definitely my new favorite entrée!

Reading...

One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell.

Watching...

Fringe. I am a sucker for television shows created by J.J. Abrams.