In early December I had the chance to take a royal iced sugar cookie workshop from the talented Bernard Shondell for Hallmark’s #My5Days. During the workshop he shared tips and tricks for baking the perfect sugar cookies and taught us how to decorate using royal icing. I absolutely love how my cookies turned out and can’t wait to get them out of the freezer for our Christmas Eve party!
November Around The Web
Hello, friends! I’ve once again gotten behind on my “around the web” series, but am happy to be back this month with a few favorites. Time has flown by since I returned to work from my maternity leave, but we had a lovely November. The month started with a Froends weekend in Nashville (where we also got to spend time with Grace!), I attended two Friendsgiving celebrations (Dale’s co-workers and my college friends), took our family Christmas card photos at the Nelson, Dale took his first set of board exams, and we had a wonderful first Thanksgiving with Grant! Around the web this month I came across these stunning headpieces by Wolf & Moon. I’m currently dreaming up an occasion where I could invest in one in the future, but for now I’m taking in all their beautiful work on their website.
We also had some friends over for dinner this month and made this vegetarian chili
A sparkly follow I discovered on Instagram!
This simple but impactful DIY would be fun to try next Thanksgiving
Loved Grace’s Thanksgiving tablescape, and a peek at her art collection in her dining room!
Curious to watch Tan France’s new show with AD about his home build
This focaccia looks like a fun bread recipe to try this winter
Lastly, a holiday DIY I can’t wait to try with Grant’s handprints!
Extra Grateful this year
August Around The Web
August was a month of transition! We spent lots of time with my sister, Grace, before her move to college and tried to soak up time at the pool with my friend Sonya and my family. We also fit in time with friends (Chi O Brunch with Ashley, Sunflower Festival with Austin and Ali, dinner with Sydney and Salvador, and brunch with Laura and Ashton) and at the end of the month Grant had his first flight when we traveled to Nashville! I can’t believe this was my last full month of maternity leave before I will return to work in September. I am beyond grateful for this time I’ve had with Grant!
Around the web, I am already enjoying subtle shifts to fall fashion. I’m obsessed with this late-summer sweater roundup from Julia.
Also loved Liz’s August outfits recap
Living in an old house we rely on a lot of lamps vs. ceiling lights. I don’t have any more spots for these cuties but really enjoyed the roundup
If you are from Kansas City, this is SUPER nostalgic!
A wedding that stopped me in my tracks. Especially the stationary.
I couldn’t help but purchase Grant one of these Rock Chalk bubbles. Can’t wait for it to arrive, just in time for football season!
Bad on Paper is one of my favorite podcasts, you should all pre-order Becca’s book!
My sister, Grace, also has a new song out: Gatsby’s House. Take a listen!
Lastly, a podcast I must listen to soon. Jurassic Park became a favorite during the pandemic.
enjoy that end-of-summer sunshine!
July Around The Web
Every month that includes a holiday feels extra special this year as we celebrate with Grant! For his first Fourth of July we participated in the neighborhood popsicle parade, went to the pool and then enjoyed our traditional fireworks and homemade ice cream at Turkey Hill a week late. This month we also spent time swimming with Sonya, visited Pryde’s with my mom and Sophie, experienced a terrible storm, watched Grace preform in Footloose, visited friends in Wichita to meet Baby Zoey and Baby Casey, Grant turned four (!) months old, celebrated my dad’s birthday and last (but not least) saw The Barbie Movie! Grant and I also spent time breakfasting/lunching with friends (Mary, Matt, and Heather) and had my cousin, his wife wife and baby over for brunch. I’m so grateful to still be on maternity leave and really am soaking up every minute!
Around the web there was lots of Barbie, and this party was super fun!
This local bakery also was offering these cute cakes for your Barbie viewing parties
To keep with the cake theme, Dolce Bakery also had a Harry Potter pop-up menu this month
A colorful & inspiring home tour
Dreamy mother/daughter Paris portraits from Julia
I relate to this SO much!
Saving this to level-up our future brunch cinnamon rolls
Obsessed with the details picked for this bathroom tile
Bookmarking this Cozy Coupe DIY
Sophie, Alex, Grammy & Pop are headed to Portugal soon, I’m hoping to have the opportunity to go back and visit Porto someday
Latest baby purchase: the softest Kyte Baby Sleep Bag for Grant
Hi, Barbie!
June Around The Web
June kicked off with Dale and I celebrating our 8 year wedding anniversary! My parents offered to babysit so that we could head to The Campground for drinks followed by a delicious dinner at Novel. That Sunday Grant was baptized and we had a great lunch after to celebrate! The rest of the month included more celebrations for our friend’s daughter Ruthie, Alex turned 30, we spent time with the Chicago Smiths, and saw Grace preform at her aerial show and at The Folly! Grace also turned 19 on the 26th and we had cupcakes at our house the night before her Folly performance. Grant is now three months old (how does time go so fast!) and has grown so much! He’s officially in mostly 3-6 month clothes and is giggling and smiling which is the BEST.
I was blown away by how beautiful Mackenzie’s instant hedges turned out! I’ve always admired her beautiful back yard but the hedges really brought it to a whole new level!
Like the rest of the internet, I am excited for the Barbie movie
An interesting history of the tote, we sure use Grant’s a lot!
I’m taking lots of early morning walks with my little guy and need a new hat
Bittersweet news from one of my favorite sites, Wit & Delight
Adding the ingredients for this recipe to our grocery list
Obsessed with this mirror (and little bathroom in general)
Bookmarking for future summer date nights
I love all blooms and these chairs are no exception. So beautiful!
The Magic Merlin is saving our sleep as Grant transitions out of his beloved Ollie!
happy summer!
May Around The Web
May was filled with lots of mom-ing! Grant and I enjoyed the last bit of Dale’s paternity leave before he had to go back to work, we attempted to settle into a new routine during the day without Dad’s help, we celebrated my FIRST Mother’s Day (complete with lunch at Indian Hills and an Aura Frame from Dale), Grant got to meet my friend Laura when she visited KC, my family celebrated Grace and Sophie’s graduations, and we ended the month with Grant’s first trip to Turkey Hill Memorial Day weekend for Grammy and my Aunt Edna’s birthdays. It’s so crazy that Grant is already 9 weeks old! Around the web I was feeling extra inspired by interiors:
Carly revealed her home decor and I especially loved the mix of pinks and blues!
This colorful home also caught my eye!
Considering a few rug options for our living room: Option 1, Option 2, Option 3, Option 4
Ken Kelleher is worth a follow
I’m saving this roundup in case (probably more like when) Grant loves cars & trucks
I also purchased this sleeper because it features the parasaurolophus, the dinosaur I was assigned to research in elementary school! Can’t wait for Grant to wear it.
Another elementary school flashback, orange julius!
The perfect hat for summer!