Downton Obsession

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It's Friday, and I'm pumped for the weekend for a few reasons.

1. We got the keys to our new place today! We'll be taking E to visit the inside for the first time later today. He's seen the outside but has yet to lay eyes on his room. I am so ready for his excitement.

2. We're attending a gender reveal party for some friends on Saturday. I'll admit, I've been skeptical about the whole idea of gender reveal, but I am super-excited to see them find out if they're having a boy or girl.

3. I have a girl's night dinner with my friends, Anna and Melody, at Deejai! I love their Thai food. I am waiting patiently and skipping any kind of afternoon snack so I'll be fully hungry later.

4. Last, but certainly not least, I cannot wait for another chapter to unfold in Downton Abbey. My dad told us about the show after the first episode. As always, he was right, and we were immediately hooked. Many of our male friends picked on Tyler for his choice in TV shows saying he wasn't manly enough, but surprise, surprise, lately they are more obsessed with it than Tyler. Tyler does have impeccable taste.

Love this blazer and denim look

If I'm ever in Miami and have loads of money to spend, I may stay in this hotel for it's eccentric and chic decor.

Once we get moved in to the new place, I may make these scones as our Saturday morning treat.

I hope your weekend has rest and relaxation in-store.

It's a Baby Moustache!

This month, I had the privilege of helping throw a shower for my lovely friend, Katy, who is expecting a baby in early January 2013. Another friend, Jenni, had the idea to throw a moustache-themed party for Katy's new little boy. I think the idea stemmed from some amazing moustache invitations Jenni found on Etsy. We ordered those invites, but used Orange and Blue as our colors because Katy and Cody are decorating the baby's nursery in those colors.

Inevitably, the whole party followed the same theme. Thankfully, there were five of us throwing the shower, so we were able to do more food and decor for the shower than we would have with less people. I took some pictures of the things we made. *Disclaimer - It was dark in the house, and the pictures are not amazing quality. I need to get a real camera or stow my husband in my pocket at all times.*

Made by a Johnson and Wales Student - Tootsie Roll 'staches

Yum. - Moustache Food Labels

Bunting

Diaper Guessing Game

Balloons

Gifts and a Moustache Bunting

I am so thankful for this time of celebration with Katy. I cannot wait until that little boy is here in January.

Baby Sh-owl-er for Katey and James - Owl Cake

Two weeks ago, some Florence people convened at The Meade House for a night to celebrate Katey and James McCoy and their baby Liam, due to join us all here on earth in just a few weeks. I was honored to be helping these lovely ladies give the shower. We're all long-time friends from a seemingly different era of Florence history, and it was great to get back and visit with everyone.

Hostesses(L to R): Taiter, Sage, Whitney, Me

We went with an owl theme for the shower, because Katey and James are decorating the nursery in earthy tones and owls. Whitney did a great job prepping her home. Instead of a traditional baby shower sans men, we decided to do a grill out and invite the guys. They definitely get shafted in the wedding and baby shower scene. Granted, I know most men don't want to sit and open presents, but they definitely miss out on some great food. So we did burgers and dogs, chips and potato salad, fruit, and lots of desserts.

Some of the gals (L to R): Me, Sage, KateyandLiam, Whitney, Taiter, and Kali/Jones

Really it was a great night. I even got to meet little Jones Dabney. I'll be honest. It was great to hold a 6-week-old again. I had forgotten how tiny they are and how much attention they need. Jones is definitely a cutie.

Tyler and my part of the preparation for the shower was 1. Tyler buys beer and 2. Melissa makes owl cake. Buying beer was easy enough, but I had to do a little research in order to decide which owl cake to mimic. Google searching owl cake and looking at the images is a little daunting. But I found a super cute plan for an owl cake at My Inner Need to Create. 

I decided we didn't need as big of a cake as she made, so instead of using 9" and 13" circles, I used 8" and 10" circles. It turned out just as well. I made strawberry marble and chocolate marble cakes. They were pretty and yummy at the same time. 

Marble Cakes

After baking the cakes, I trimmed them up and put them together to make the owl shape.

 Then I made icing and colored them: Tan/Copper, Brown(cocoa and coloring), Yellow, Black, and I saved a little White for the eyes.

E even helped me make the icing. He definitely enjoyed licking a spoon and eating lots of left over cake.

The finished product? A cutie owl cake, but not too girly for Liam. I was pretty excited about the way it turned out. I definitely had my doubts about my capabilities.

Meanwhile, Tyler was doing great things as well. He volunteered to help make E's Halloween costume. E chose to be a red ninja this year, so Tyler made it. He is such a Renaissance man. I think he even enjoys sewing more than I do, because he loves precision and putting things together. I do not. I like icing because you can cover up mistakes easily, and I can literally ice over something done sloppily. 

My Man Love - Focusing

All in all, it was a great night. It was great to see Katey with a baby bump, James, and crew. I am so excited about baby Liam and the future McCoy family. Tyler and I definitely had a "we miss Florence" moment. It really only lasted a few minutes until we had to drive through Sams Club and Wal*Mart traffic. Then we were over it, but we definitely loved the community time. Thanks Katey and James for the excuse to get together.

Mr. LaCross and Myself 

Soil Milk

A Typical Conversation:

Me: (In a constipated voice) Awwwwww....look at that baby. Sooo cute. Awwww.

Tyler: Yeah. He really is cute.

Me: I need a baby.

Tyler: (silence)

Me: Ok. I need a baby someday. Definitely after my half marathon. Only a month to wait.

Tyler: (pause)...yeah. Some day.

I've got the itch. Every baby I see is adorable, even if they were just born and look more alien than human. I mean, E is eight and there is barely any baby left in him. Only when he sleeps does he look reminiscent of his baby self.

Generally, I show Tyler a picture of a cute baby at least once a day. Maybe more, depending on how many friends post pictures of their kids on Facebook (so keep posting them guys. Maybe I can wear him down).

The other night in the car I got on the baby topic for probably the third time this week. Then, to make my argument even more sound, I starting bringing up all the cute things E used to do when he was small, like call soy milk "soil milk" and take a sip of his drink and smack his lips and say, "ahhh."

I don't think Tyler was convinced, though he smirked.

I know Tyler and I are young. I know we've only been married a year and 2 months. However, babies are just so fluffy and attractive, and everyone is pregnant these days. I mean, if you can't beat them...and we definitely can't beat all the pregnant women around. So we may as well join them.

This is my perspective at least. Tyler does want kids, but I will just have to wait until we are both ready. Until then, I'll keep sighing and drooling over everyone else's babies. Who can help it? I can't. They're just such rolly pollies.

So young.

Click here for a cute baby slideshow.

And one more cute one of E. I can't resist.