[haute mama] w34d5 ~ back in black

I'm getting to the final stretch, and although baby & I still need some time, I'm so ready to be done!  I've had a wonderful pregnancy, don't get me wrong, but I'm also looking forward to being able to take my own shoes off again.  On that note, there haven't been a whole lot of outfits that have inspired me to take pictures lately either.  I'm sort of in 'whatever still fits' mode, which is so boring & mildly depressing!  However, I really want to document up until the end, and today's ensemble was a little more worthy of the camera than usual. 

Note the short sleeves & bare legs.  It is so warm this week!  I can't believe Christmas is in a few days.

*sings* I don't think you're ready for this belly...

top: Urban Outfitters, skirt: Motherhood, boots: Frye, necklace: Haute Hardware (similar here), cuff: flea market, geode ring: gift shop in San Juan

In case this is all she wrote before Saturday, wishing everyone an excellent & safe holiday!

xoxo

ready for my close-up

Thanksgiving weekend my friend & favoritest photographer, Ange Fitzgerald, was in town, and was able to steal away from her family for a bit to do some maternity photos for us.  I love every last one of them & wanted to share a few of my favorites here.

We couldn't forget about our current babies, so Ange did a series of shots with the buns!  It was hard to keep them from tearing around the yard, but we managed to do it.

Transporting them from the photo shoot.  They all look so thrilled right here!

Ange is so talented, and I'm so happy she was able to squeeze us in (and on short notice).  Thanks again, lady! 

haute hardware etsy sale

Yep folks, it's all on sale from now until Santa comes!  Just get your shop on at hautehardware.etsy.com, enter code HOLIDAY10, and reap the benefits.

Better than going to the mall, in so many ways.

Happy Holidays and happy shopping!

**Free shipping is automatic, but limited to U.S. only.

[haute mama] w32d1 ~ over the knee & through the woods

I truly didn't think that over-the-knee boots were something I'd be trying whilst pregnant, but in the end I was lured in.  In general I prefer a flat OTK boot to avoid any potential Pretty Woman implications, and that just happens to work out a lot better for me these days in the comfort department.  I think I've been wearing heels about once every two weeks, at best...and my feets and calves aren't very happy with me when I do.  I wore a mere 2.5" heel to work last week because some sweet co-workers threw me a shower & I wanted to look fancy, and then I got a debilitating leg cramp on the way home (yes, while driving...fun).    But anyway, these Steven boots are actually easy to get on (also important) as well as comfortable, so they work.  And keep me from feeling like a total schlump these final months.

 Layered up with a vintage swing coat that I've had for a few years.  It happens to be a pretty fab maternity winter coat (for Texas winter...it only has 3/4 sleeves but is otherwise relatively warm), and I'm glad to not have to buy one:

boots: Steven, jeans: Loved, sweater: Max Studio, tank: Liz Lange, coat: vintage, bag: Rachel Nasvik, necklace: Haute Hardware

Necklace close-up - I'm still all smitten with this piece from the Jingle Bash!

Last but not least, I'm also wearing a new Chanel Rouge Coco that I splurged on during a mini-post-Bash-spree.  The shade is Rivoli which is a dark berry red that can be applied relatively sheer for daytime and vamped up for night.  I love it.

[adventures in domesticity] if we took a holiday...

Rod & I bought our first home this year, and I'm not a good candidate for travel right now...which means we get to do all of the holidays at our house this year.  While my energy levels are waning a bit, I'm still up for the challenge (especially since I have an Extremely Helpful Husband and family members to do some of the legwork).

Thanksgiving was the kickoff to holiday season at Casa Cruz, and although we were a small group (Rod & I + mom- & sis-in-law) we still did it up right, food-wise.  I'll just say we're still working on leftovers a week later.  Here's me posing, er, at work in the kitchen:

(Week 31 day 1 for those keeping track!)

In keeping with the Thanksgiving Fiesta™ theme of my sugar skull apron, I decided to go with a bright, cheery theme for the table.  Not very fall-like at all, but hey, these fresh flowers were still going strong & I had placemats to match.



My in-laws were awesome enough to bring all of the sides and veggies, while I tackled my first turkey, sausage, apple, and cranberry stuffing...

...and my mom's famous raspberry pie

The table again, loaded up and ready to go, along with 3 of the 4 chefs, ready to dig in!

Is anyone else getting hungry right now?!

After we plowed through insane amounts of food, we plowed through the Black Friday ads since Rod was determined to get in on that action this year.  I've never been one for the BF hoopla, but the Michael's ad caught my eye this year, AND they were starting their deals Thanksgiving night.  No getting up at 3 a.m.  So we ventured out to get some things for the tree, and also came away with some festive flair for our mantle:

I spotted this mirror on a previous trip to Michael's, but the $120 pricetag gave me minor sticker shock.  All the combined Black Friday deals brought it down to $50, so into our cart it went!  The mirror isn't so much a holiday-only decoration, but I do love how it looks with the pinecone vase, gold glittery sticks/birds/candleholders, and the tin impression of El Convento that my mom got us in Puerto Rico.  There's sort of a Silver & Gold thing going on [cue Burl Ives]. 

Full effect with fireplace - I love that it's finally fireplace weather, by the by:

I've been adding more holiday accents this week that I'll photograph, including our tree!  I can hardly believe we have it up already...I think it's safe to say my nesting instinct has kicked in in full force.  Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!