Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Adelaide Jane: 2 Months

Dearest Adelaide Jane,

I can hardly believe that you are TWO months old. The time has flown by incredibly fast yet I don't even remember what life was like before you. You are averaging one trip per month and racking up those sky miles. By your first birthday, we might be able to head to Fiji for free :) You flew to Santa Rosa Beach, FL for Tiffany & Ryan's wedding. You loved dipping your toes in the sand and kicked your little legs in the ocean.

You witnessed your first hurricane, Hurricane "Mimi" Sandy, that hit the Northeast. Lucky for us, we got stranded in FL so we were out of harms way. We fled south to Mimi & Papa's house in Naples to weather the storm...and stayed for 2 weeks because that is how long it took us to get power back at our house.

Your little personality grows daily and your more alert with the passing minutes. You love to play on your tummy and rock in your swing. We learned that you will sleep all day in the baby Bjorn if we let you as being a kangaroo in mommy's pouch might be your favorite place to be. You smile and laugh at your daddy & I and you are talking up a storm these days. 




You are quite the social butterfly. You have had play dates with Ms. Saylor Rae, Ms. Addison Taylor, Ms. Avery Holland, and Mr. Kendahl Howard. While these meetings involved more talking amongst the mommies than the babies, I have no doubts that you girls (and guy) will be gossiping soon. You also had your first sleepover with your cousins Bishop & Collins. Mimi was watching the two for the weekend when we were back in Kentucky and it sure was fun. They helped feed you and give you a bath. They even napped with you. You little minions are going to be the best of friends!

Upon the tail end of our trip to KY and returning home, you got your first cold/cough. We couldn't help but swoon over your pitiful little cough. It was so sad yet so cute. You were such a trooper though as you never made a fuss. Mommy & daddy were definitely more pained by it than you. With a little elevated sleep, nightly humidifier, and squirts of nasal saline, we waved the storm and had you feeling like a million bucks!

Perhaps the biggest news in your short two months is that you are a rolling machine. You consistently rollover from your tummy to your back. Sometimes you are so quick that I can't catch it on video. We love the little push ups that you do as you check out your surroundings. You are as curious as your mommy ;)

We are amazed with you daily which I think will continue as you keep growing. We love you to pieces little Ms. Adelaide Jane!

Love,
Mommy (& Daddy)




Saturday, October 27, 2012

Snapshot on a Saturday

This past weekend we enjoyed a whole lot of family time. Saturday we were up bright and early heading to the Westchester Mall for Ryan to get his haircut at Elizabeth Arden. Yes my husband's hair is very expensive in case you didn't know. Adelaide & I strolled around checking out all of the precious baby stores because I adore children's clothing. Apres le haircut, we sipped pumpkin spice lattes and wandered around.

In the afternoon, Liz & Win came to visit and meet Adelaide for the first time. Per Liz's request, we snacked on seasonal ice cream at The Blue Pig. *You might recall that I frequented this place quite often while preggo* The pumpkin and candy corn ice cream was to.die.for. Its a good thing Liz doesn't live here because then she might force me to go with her every day and that would not be good for my figure ;)



Date night consisted of The Haunt at Rocky Ledge where we took turns going through. Our two trusted nannies were unavailable to watch Adelaide so she came along and we Ryan didn't think she was old enough for her first haunted house. I thought she would love it just like her momma especially strapped to my chest via baby bjorn. Nonetheless, I went through with a mom, dad, and two sons who held my hands when they became frightened. Ryan had the pleasure of going with a group of teenage girls. Despite separating for the highlighted portion of the date, the haunted house was pretty cool. The first part is outside through a forest so your senses are contesting with the scary part of nature as well as the haunted aspect. The second and third parts consisted of two separate house enclosed with frightful looking creatures popping out everywhere and spooky sounds leaving you with chills. Definitely a must do if you live in the area.



As for the week, Adelaide & I spent a lot of time playing. Her personalities is really blossoming and she is talking up a storm after each time she eats. She is smiling and laughing and melting her mommy's heart daily. She is even making friends at Saw Mill Club where she plays in the nursery and I attempt to get my body back **Don't worry, they have a special room for newborns where each child has their own nanny to watch them so she is completely safe and content.**





Wednesday we headed down to FL for the nuptials of Tiffany & Ryan. Tiff is my little from ADPi and one of my closest friends. 81 degrees and sunny is just what we needed before the chills of winter hit New York. Plus I am a sucker for the beach...sand in my toes, crashing waves, sun tan. Yep I love them all.

Will post pics of the entire *beach* weekend next week :) You won't want to miss the little princess in her first swimsuit debut!



Friday, October 26, 2012

*Introducing Our Ace*

When it comes to cards, I like to be as creative as possible. I truly adore the holidays because it means lots and lots of fun & festive photo cards from friends and family. I anxiously await the mail during the winter months to see what treat we have received. And I look forward to sending out our holiday card any card for any occasion.

So when it came time to introduce Adelaide Jane to the world, I wanted something out-of-the-box. I racked my brain trying to come up with a meaningful twist to her/my pregnancy. Ah-ha! Tennis was such a huge part of my entire pregnancy and the only activity that made Ms. Adelaide rest in my tummy. I played around with the WTA website and loved the layout of the player profile; with a little baby-fying of the wording I knew what I wanted the announcement to say. Now all I needed was a designer...

Insert Mellen Designs, a company founded by my sweet sorority sister Mary Ellen Fortney. I had used them for a few wedding details (i.e. our couples shower thank yous and rehearsal dinner coasters). I shared my vision with Mary Ellen, and she cooked up the perfect birth announcement.

Look how perfect!



If you are ever in the market for custom & creative invitations, announcements, or cards, please contact Mary Ellen. She is amazing to work with and produces great work :)

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Copy Cat Closet: Summer Dress Into Fall

I feel like I've been sporting fall/winter clothes for over a year now because I wasn't able to squeeze into my usual summer wardrobe due to having a little bun in the oven. So I am thrilled that we are currently in FL enjoying 81 degrees, sunshine, and shorts :) I am also excited that Ma Nouvelle Mode chose to challenge us with *falling* a summer dress.

While this dress isn't exactly in my summer rotation, I thought it would do the trick. Dressing it up with some festive tights & my Uggs for our date night to The Haunt at Rocky Ledge. I also added a touch of Halloween with my *trick or treat* charm bracelet. Yes, I have one for basically every holiday. I am a nerd holiday junkie.




Dress: vintage
Tights: Target (recent)
Boots: UGGs (old, similar here)
Charm Bracelet: vintage
Peridot & Diamond Ring: custom (see here)


Aside from all of my festive accessories, this little pumpkin is my favorite thing to tote around :)




If you are interested in linking up, be sure to visit Ma Nouvelle Mode and get style inspiration directly to your inbox! I can't wait to see what each new challenge brings for my inner fashionista because this new mommy needs all the style tips she can get!


the Grant life;

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

People Like Us: A Movie Review

I'm a sucker for a movie preview that makes me cry. I will undoubtedly see whatever it is at some point if the 2 minute trailer evokes that much emotion from me. Awhile back, People Like Us previewed when we went to see *some other sob story*. I knew instantly that I would love it.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when we were in Kentucky and my sister-in-law Amanda mentioned that it was available On-Demand. I couldn't wait to get back and watch it one evening. So Adelaide and I cuddled up on the couch and proceeded to be mesmerized by the story.

A young man avoids tries to avoid returning home for his father's funeral despite his girlfriend's efforts to get him out to California to mourn. While he is paying his respects, he finds a small pouch packed with $150,000 and a note directing him to take care of them. As the story unfolds, Sam (Chris Pine) discovers secrets of his father's past that lead him to Frankie (Elizabeth Banks) and Josh (Michael Hall D'Addario). The three become close until Sam's secret is exposed leaving Frankie heartbroken and angry. But like all stories, love finds a way to save the day teaching us lessons about family and secrets along the way.

With an all-star cast delivering an emotional performance that makes you question your past and urges you to live in the present, People Like Us will touch your heart.


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Hosting a Holiday: DIY Thanksgiving Napkin Rings

Recall how I voiced my perfectionism and hosting on a budget? Well I wasn't quite up for paying $5 per napkin ring for 16 people so I crafted up my own for a whopping $9 courtesy of Michael's Crafts

Three simple supplies: ribbon (1 1/2 inches thick), festive felt stickers, and a glue gun. 

Instructions: 

  1. Cut the ribbon to link that will wrap around napkins comfortably.
  2. Hot glue the ribbon ends together to make a loop.
  3. Stick on stickers.
And viola:




I thought these were super cute especially for the amount of money I spent on them. Someday I will have loads and loads of money to spend frivolously on napkin rings from Pier One or Pottery Barn or wherever, but for now, I am quite impressed with my post-baby brain creativity.

**These can be created for any occasion of your choice. Just use festive ribbon & stickers :)

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Snapshots on a Saturday

You *might* have noticed that Snapshots on a Saturday replaced Weekend Treats in my blog world. Really its just another name for the recap of our weekend week so to speak. And I *may* have borrowed this idea from Elizabeth at Port of Thoughts who invented Foto Reel Fridays to document her growing boy Henry.

So now that you have a bit of history, let's see what Adelaide, Ryan, & I got into this week...



Saturday we ventured to Warwick, NY (about an hour away) to pick apples at Masker's Orchard. We also picked pumpkins, sipped apple cider, munched on apple cider donuts, and made our way through their corn maze. Working up an appetite, we stopped into the quaint town at Yesterday's for their world-famous burger. Props to Ryan for finding such a cute place and planning a family fun afternoon.



Sunday was daddy-daughter time so mommy could get things done around the house. Those things including decorating our pumpkins.

from this...

...to this



There wasn't a lot on our agenda for the week which resulted in Suzi Homemaker making an appearance in the kitchen. She cooked several of her pre-labor frozen meals as well as 10 loaves of the secret Collins family poppyseed bread and baked apples *from the orchard* for dessert. Don't worry, Suzi is going on vacation next week and is set to return around Thanksgiving.



In other news, Adelaide is growing like a weed and getting more playful by the day. While she is only 7 weeks, she seems so much older! We love when she smiles with those sweet dimples or giggles and coos. Her facial expressions kill me as they are so grown up!

Stay tuned for our upcoming adventures to Florida and visits from friends! We have a busy end to the year :)

Friday, October 19, 2012

Hosting a Holiday: Thanksgiving Table Setting

I am a bit of a *perfectionist* especially when it comes to entertaining. With the upcoming holiday of Thanksgiving and both families coming up for the occassion, the pressure is on as I host my first adult-family gathering. But babies cost money...a LOT of money...so we are on a budget for this joyous dinner party.

Back to that perfectionist thing, I had been lusting after this dinnerware set ever since I knew we were hosting t-giving in New York. I kept watching Amazon for pricing, but by the time I got around to purchasing, the set was sold out. So I was back to the drawing board and having no luck until I was roaming Walmart for some flannel sheets. I stumbled upon their fall section and voila: Better Homes & Garden Harvest dinnerware. I scored dinner plates, salad plates, and dessert plates all for $2.48 a piece!! Talk about a steal. I managed to grab a few serving platters and bowls as well as some festive placemats.

To add a personal touch, I found these place cards at Michael's. And following in a Collins family tradition, I grabbed a few festive poppers for a fun spin on Thanksgiving.



So what do you think?

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Copy Cat Closet: Boot Cuffs

Joining the gals over at Ma Nouvelle Mode for another fall edition of Copy Cat Closet. This week the challenge included a bit of accessories to our boots. While I haven't had a chance to rock the boot cuffs just yet this season, I was able to round up a few pics from last season where I rocked them for the first time.

**Tidbit: I wore them while we were in NY house hunting and ultimately conceived our sweet baby girl on said trip. Maybe the boot cuffs were lucky ;)

It was early December when we came to find our new place of residence so I opted for red leg warmers over my skinny jeans and under my UGGs seasoned with my *mistletoe tester* shirt.





Shirt: vintage
Skinny Jeans: Gap (old)
Leg Warmers: Forever 21 (old)
Boots: UGGs (old, similar here)




If you are interested in linking up, be sure to visit Ma Nouvelle Mode and get style inspiration directly to your inbox! I can't wait to see what each new challenge brings for my inner fashionista because this new mommy needs all the style tips she can get!


the Grant life;

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

All Things Pumpkin

About three weeks before I gave birth, the desire to have anything pumpkin hit me. I hadn't had any cravings the entire pregnancy until then. Specifically a craving for chocolate chip pumpkin bread. Then pumpkin spice lattes (which unfortunately were not available yet; don't fret as I've made up for it by having one the day we were released from the hospital and every day since then :)). Perhaps this craving came from my sweet *fall* baby girl or the amount of *pumpkin* all over Pinterest.

One will never really know the exact cause; however I do know the effect...

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal (serves 6-8)


Ingredients:

  • 2 cups steel cut oats
  • 1 15oz can of pumpkin
  • 1 14oz can full fat coconut milk
  • 5 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tbsp
  • 1 tbsp and 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
Directions:
  1. Put all ingredients in crockpot
  2. Mix well
  3. Set to cook for 5 to 6 hours on low
  4. Serve hot with milk or a dollop of yogurt
**Feel free to add more honey, syrup, or a touch of cinnamon


Chocolate Chip *Pumpkin* Bread (makes 2 loaves)

a family affair and a check on our fall bucket list


Ingredients:
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 15 oz can pumpkin
  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup and 3 tbls water
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 1/3 cups flour
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 2 loaf pans with dab of oil
  2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs. Beat until smooth.
  3. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt
  4. Fold in chocolate chips
  5. Bake for one hour. Let cool before serving.
For more yummy recipes, click here.


Pumpkin Froyo (serves 4-6)




Ingredients:

  • 1 cup nonfat vaniall yogurt, strained 
  • 1 cup pumkpin puree
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Directions:
  1. Mix all ingredients in large bowl
  2. Churn mixture in ice cream maker for a few minutes until smooth with even consistency
**If you don't have an ice cream maker, simply put in freezer & stir every 30 minutes until desired consistency is reached. Garnish with chocolate chips if you prefer!

For more fun desserts, click here.


Monday, October 15, 2012

Music Mondays

Completely obsessed with this song right now...on repeat for this girl







Courtesy of the movie People Like Us which I will be reviewing later this week

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Snapshots on a Saturday

Back from Kentucky and battling colds, Adelaide & I spent the week hibernating inside the house for the most part. Ryan worked from home as he was uber sick :( While we didn't want him to be feeling under the weather, it was nice to have him home during the day. We definitely got spoiled with daddy helping out :)

Despite feeling less than best, we managed to giggle a lot and snuggle up around the house. Adelaide's getting bigger by the day and just as sweet as can be. She enjoyed exploring new parts of her home too.

Below you can catch her praying at the dinner table, devising a plan to take over the head seat, flying sky-high courtesy of dad, snoozing in various places, and prepping for a mommy & me trip to the mall.


Cheers to another week with our baby girl!


Thursday, October 11, 2012

Copy Cat Closet: Layering

This Thursday, I'm linking up with Ma Nouvelle Mode for another addition of Copy Cat Closet. Natalia, the author, lives in California so fall hasn't quite reached the west coast just yet. However, with so many cities experiencing cooler temps, this week's challenge of layering was a perfect fit.

As we waver from summer to fall, layering pieces seems the perfect fit to transition into cooler nights. Day time temperatures in Kentucky were around 70 degrees when Adelaide & I were home for our visit, but when the sun went down and nightfall arrived, it was a mere 50 degrees.

Here are two outfits that kept me comfortable during the day and warm at night:






Cords: Gap (here)
Teal Sweater: Express (old)
Grey Sweater: Victoria Secret (old)
White Shirt: Express(old)
Vest: Forever 21 (old)
Flats: Cole Haan's Maria Sharapova (here)
Flats: Forver 21 (old)




If you are interested in linking up, be sure to visit Ma Nouvelle Mode and get style inspiration directly to your inbox! I can't wait to see what each new challenge brings for my inner fashionista because this new mommy needs all the style tips she can get!


the Grant life;

Monday, October 8, 2012

Music Mondays

An oldie but goodie...especially in honor of my Papa Collins and my daddy


Saturday, October 6, 2012

Snapshots on a Saturday

We enjoyed a wonderful fall week in Kentucky with family and friends. Adelaide met so many people from my cousins to her cousins & great grandparents. My parents hosted a mini get together with our close family friends last Saturday evening where little A was loved on and showered with adorable, girly outfits.


 
 


We indulged in lots of festive treats including pumpkin picking, candy corn munching, pumpkin spice latte sipping, sweater & boots wearing, and so on. Sunday we headed to Huber's Farm in Indiana with my side of the family to celebrate Peter's 32nd birthday.



We also got to tour many exciting parts of My Old Kentucky Home which created memories of a lifetime. For more highlights of the Bluegrass 1000, visit here and here.



We have two more days of family fun before we head back to New York. So thankful for a wonderful family who makes coming to Kentucky memorable beyond measure.



Friday, October 5, 2012

The Bluegrass 1000: In Pictures (Part Two)

 
Day Three: Moonlite BBQ and Lost River Cave
 
 
Day three entailed a cruise around Bowling Green up north and just west to Owensboro to indulge in world famous bar-b-q and some bluegrass music fame. Upon returning to BG, we enjoyed an underground cave tour at Lost River Cave which is Kentucky's only underground boat tour.
 
 
 
Day 4: Corvette Museum

 
While we are a predominant FORD family, I must admit that the Corvette Museum was pretty neat. I loved the old-time settings with gas prices, historic cars, & surrounding decor. To see the history of an important American company was a great experience and the tribute to 9/11 was beyond touching.
 
 
Day 5: KY Museum & Train Museum
 
 Kentucky has an abundance of museums with oodles of history. On the final day, en route back to Louisville, we made pit-stops at the Kentucky Museum as well as the Kentucky Railway Museum for some more history & a touch of culture.
 

 


Thursday, October 4, 2012

Copy Cat Closet: Rockin' the Leggings

I was beyond thrilled to get the newest email from Ma Nouvelle Mode for this week's Copy Cat Closet challenge. I love me some leggings because they can be worn so many different ways. I enjoy sporting them in the fall, winter, and spring. Basically to keep my pasty white legs warm during the cooler months. I have been known to wear leggings with sweaters, three-quarter length blouses, or dresses.

Here are three different ways that I've fashioned leggings this fall so far:








Leggings: Express (similar here)
Sweater: Express (old)
Shirt: William Rast (old; seen here)
Dress: Victoria Secret (old)
Boots: Nine West (old)
Cowgirl Boots: Lucchese (custom)
Flats: Forver 21 (old)




If you are interested in linking up, be sure to visit Ma Nouvelle Mode and get style inspiration directly to your inbox! I can't wait to see what each new challenge brings for my inner fashionista because this new mommy needs all the style tips she can get!


the Grant life;

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Bluegrass 1000: In Pictures (Part One)

Day One: KY Speedway & Elk Creek Winery

Monday kicked off with a scenic drive up to Sparta where the Kentucky Speedway resides. Everyone enjoyed a few laps around the track followed by pictures in the winner's circle. Bishop was so excited to ride in fast *dar* as he refers to them. Adelaide loved being the youngest little Nascar fan ;) After working up an appetite, we stopped in Owenton for a bite accompanied by wine tasting and a tour of the winery. The property is gorgeous and I loved getting my wine education on.
 

 
Day Two: General Patton Museum in Fort Knox
 

Tuesday involved a little bit of history with the General Patton Museum in Fort Knox. Nothing like an educational lesson and interactive activities to explore the past via trivia, quizzes, presentations, and machines. From Fort Knox to Glendale through backroads we stopped for a bite to eat before hitting up Kentucky Down Under for a taste of Australia. To experience a bit of Aussie fun including kangaroos and emus was a real treat.


Stay tuned for more adventures in the great state of Kentucky...

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

The Odd Life of Timothy Green: A Movie Review



This post is way overdue as I saw this movie over a month ago. On the day I entered the hospital to start the process of giving birth to be exact. Mom & I were trying to pass the time before 5pm and thought it would be wise to take advantage of visiting the cinemas for one last hoorah for awhile. Fittingly, we chose a movie about the miracle of life: The Odd Life of Timothy Green.

Cindy (Jennifer Garner) & Jim Green (Joel Edgerton) have been desperately trying to conceive with no luck at all. After tedious efforts and all options exhausted, they decide to give up on their dream of having children. In an ode to put it behind them, they spend one last night sipping wine by the fire and writing down all of the characteristics that *if they had a child* their child would possess. Placing the traits in a box, they bury it their garden.

Overnight a miracle happens and out pops Timothy (CJ Adams), a sweet young boy with a bubbly personality and leaves on his legs. As the story unfolds, the Greens navigate parenthood and relish in the awe that their newfound son exerts. Timothy possesses all of the characteristics that his parents dreamed of and one by one he touches the lives of those around him.

It was such a fitting movie for me to see as I headed into motherhood. As appreciative as I was to become a mother, watching this film made me even more thankful for God's gift of life. A beautiful story with a great life lesson. Definitely worth seeing!!


Monday, October 1, 2012

The Bluegrass 1000 Road Tour



The Bluegrass 1000 Road Tour is a five day event covering one thousand kilometers of some of the most scenic and challenging roads in Kentucky. My dad started this event in 2008 to honor my grandfather and two of his passions: cars & finding a cure for Parkinson's (a disease he battled for over 30 years). Before Papa Collins passed away, our family helped to fund & build the Bill Collins Parkinson's Center at Jewish Hospital to help find a cure for this debilitating disease. People have come from all over the tri-state area to get medical help and the facility has expanded to continue helping those affected by Parkinson's. 

Participants for the Bluegrass 1000 come from all over the country. The entrants will be driving a variety of vehicles ranging from historic classic automobiles to high performance sports cars. This event is a tour, not a road rally or a race, and has been planned to give the participants the utmost in both scenic and enjoyable driving experience while enjoying the great history and culture throughout the state of Kentucky. 

This year the tour begins in Sparta at the Kentucky Speedway followed by lunch at Elk Creek Winery and dinner at Claudia Sanders in Shelbyville. Then we will spend a day traveling through Elizabethtown and the Australian caves. Followed by excursions and yummy BBQ in Owensboro and speedy fun via the Corvette Museum and boat ride in Bowling Green. The tour will wrap up in the cave towns with a tour of the Kentucky Rail Park & Museum as well as Outlaw Cave. Concluding with a fine dinner in Louisville.

I was fortunate enough to help with the event this year in terms of raising money through donations and sponsorships. I am so glad to be a part of such a wonderful cause and look forward to continuing the expansion of the Bluegrass 1000 in the future. 

So today, Adelaide & I are heading off on our road tour around the great state of Kentucky (Ryan will join us on Wednesday for the second half). We are excited to spend time with the Collins Clan as we honor my Papa and continue his legacy.

Stay tuned for pictures of our adventures this week!