Flourish + Fun

This past weekend we were thrilled to partake in Megan and Brent's wedding down in Long Beach. Megan, the bride looked incredible and had some pretty in pink bridesmaids and her new hubby by her side.  The location was gorgeous, the old building dated back to 1904 and had a very charming feel about it.  After a touching ceremony by Pastor Steve Snook, cocktail hour, a fabulous dinner, heart warming speeches and lots of photos, something strange happened....suddenly all the lights went out! At first everyone thought it was a part of the reception because the perfect candlelight seemed to fit the mood. But we soon we realized it wasn't, but to be honest the crowd totally embraced it and dare I say, loved it! It was so fun, like being back in 3rd grade when the lights went out. Especially once we found out the power would not go back on that night, everyone began to revel in it.  The ...

Trying to figure out what to name your first child is kind of a big task, not just because everyone has different opinions of what sounds pretty or what would fit with your last name, but also because apparently there is kind of a lot that's in a name... j ust look at urbandictionary.com's definition of Kyle...pretty errie how close it is to my Kyle huh!? And the name Lisa , well I think most of the definitions are pretty superficial and depending on the Lisa they could be debateable. :)

Hope you have a beautiful Friday!  {photo taken of our Santa Monica stomping grounds at sunset}

This past weekend we had some of our most favorite friends in town. We only had a brief time to hang out with them, but we managed to pack in skateboarding, a sunset walk, an Italian dinner, and a Charlie Brown movie. 

Last night we ventured to Marina Del Rey to have dinner with Aunt Ellie and Uncle Doogie, we were in for a night of amazing food and great company.  Upon arrival we noticed the house was decked out in big pink bows (hmmm). When El and Doog opended the door the pink theme continued with the cute couple in pink tops (interesting). We then noticed the table had a pink centerpiece, and even their two lively dogs had matching pink bows (getting warmer). We (finally) quickly realized it was a celebration dinner for our baby girl! We ate a ton! Kyle I think did about 3 rounds and I opted for 2 1/2. Kyle seemed smitten with the arugula, watermellon, and feta salad, which I thoroughly enjoyed as well. But I also couldn't get enough of the perfectly cooked beef and the (secret recipe) mashed potatoes.   We had so much fun, I'm sure we'll be begging them for that meal (or recipe - mashed potatoes hint, hint) sometim...

I am kind of obsessed with the band Phoenix today, particularly this song. Kyle and I were rocking out to it last night in the car, on our way home from The Counter in Santa Monica (thanks to the CD Andrew Jed hooked us up with). And today, yeah I am still rocking out to it, only at my desk this time: I can't stop listening...yes you can say it...{obsessed!}

Today the Santa Monica Pier served as the finish line for the 25th LA Marathon. Starting at Dodger Stadium and winding its way through Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Brentwood, runners received quite a tour of Los Angeles before reaching the final mile along the bluffs, passing by just two blocks away from our place. This year 25,000 people ran the race and an estimated 50,000 people total flooded into town for the festivities.  Lisa and I met up with some friends (and their adorable babies) down the street to cheer on those we knew who were running the race: We always love the runners (and fans) who take it upon themselves to "dress up" for the occasion (we just missed the marauding band of Elvises pushing a stroller blasting Elvis hits – darn!): And, of course, those who we came to cheer on – Andrew, Bryan, Jaye & Jeff (Clockwise from Top Left): Nice job everyone! You guys (and gal) rocked! I'm feeling very inspired for my half marathon next week...

The first day of Spring is here today! Here are the top 5 things I love about Spring time: 5.  Saying Goodbye to Winter - I hate being cold! 4.  It's almost Summer - I love being warm! 3.  Our Brazil trip is just around the corner - vacation, relaxation, vacation! 2.  Daylight Savings time finally hits - so it's still light out after we get off of work! 1.  Puple trees are everywhere! ...instead of Cherry Blossoms, which are pretty void in L.A. we have these gorgeous purple blossoms called Jacaranda trees which litter all over the sidewalks and streets and it's beautiful. Happy Springtime!

Happy St. Patrick's day to you! And good luck to you today, hope you wore green so you don't get pinched! Here's a little blurb on Saint Patrick : St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17 which corresponds with Saint Patrick's religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. Saint Patrick was actually british, but he moved to Ireland and led a lot of people there to faith in Christianity. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

This weekend, my (Kyle) Mom came down to visit and to stay through Monday for our 2nd Trimester Screening. We had a great time and although she wasn't feeling 100%, we kept her on a steady cocktail of Dimetapp, wine and Fisherman's Friends (the best cough drops EVER) that kept her going strong. We started the weekend on Thursday evening, after picking Nancy up at the airport, by meeting up with the magnanimous Mr. Dave Ross and constantly creative Matt Comer for dinner at Library Alehouse on Main Street and a House Industries Visual Typography & Product Showcase at the Eames Office around the corner. Dinner was fantastic (as always) and the exhibit exuded positively creative energy with all sorts of cool things to look at, touch, play with, a live vintage band, live silk screening and all the Charles & Ray Eames stuff you could shake a stick at. Friday, Lisa and I went to work, but managed to break out a bit early and work from home in the afternoon. Mom surprise...

... are what girls are made of, which is what we're having! It's a snuggly, sweet, beautiful, precious, good-smelling, little Daddy's girl and we couldn't be more excited. To start the week right (and cap off a wonderful weekend) we had our 2nd trimester screening bright and early at 9am today. My Mom joined us for the check-up which involved methodically checking all of the baby's organs, structures and appendages, including the baby-making parts.  Instead of finding out the sex of the baby in the cold lube of the doctor's office, we took up Chris (Ahlgren)'s suggestion and had the doc write it down in a card we brought so we could open it up at dinner together. Lisa somehow managed not to peek all day and we headed over to Lemonade in Beverly Hills to grab a bite to eat, enjoy the wonderful weather on their patio and, of course, open up the envelope! We ate, enjoyed and opened, and, well, now you know the rest! P.S. We just wanted to say thanks to all...

That's right, I am half way there in my pregnancy...I'm 20 weeks (5 months) along already, and my belly finally popped about two weeks ago (geez took long enough!) so now I have a fantastic baby bump!  Here's an updated photo:

A few of my favorites from elementary school and high school got together this weekend to celebrate Kacy's upcoming arrival, her first little one is due this April 25th. So we headed up to Ventura to celebrate baby shower style with Kacy's family and friends.

SO what's your guess? Are we having a BOY or a GIRL? We're tallying all of your guesses on this post, just leave a comment with your vote, oh and don't forget to sign your name too! Here are some of the supposed myths we dug up on gender prediction: If you carry low, it's a boy. If you carry high, it's a girl. If you carry in front, it's a boy; if you're wide at the middle, it's a girl. Is Baby's heart beat faster than 140 beats per minute it's a girl. Less than 130 beats per minute it's a boy. If morning sickness lingers all day, it's a girl. If you are craving salty or sour foods it's a boy. If you are craving sweets, orange juice or fruit it's a girl. If you're hands are dry it's a boy. If you're face is breaking out more than normal it's a girl. We'll find out the official gender at our next appointment on Monday, March 15th and announce whether it's a BOY or GIRL so stay tuned!

Last night after work, Kyle and I went to celebrate my friend Katie's birthday at Villa Blanca  in Beverly Hills. The restaurant and bar is in such a gorgeous space, with almost completely white decor, a posh interior with a shabby chic feel to it. And we have a sneaking suspicion Susie would absolutely love this place. Ms. Susie Shaw: Next time you are in town we need to go here!

The Oscars are this weekend, do you have your predictions of who will go home with the golden statues? Unfortunately this year Kyle and I are way behind in viewing most of the nominated films, so this year we haven't entered any pools to gamble on who will win or not we're just going to enjoy the show. But we are as usual going to attend a Oscar party with some of our friends, enjoy the attire, maybe shed a tear or two (maybe!), and poke fun at the festivities . Hope you enjoy the show and have a wonderful weekend!

I finally took the plunge and registered Kyle and I for a baby class, but not just any class, a class on my most feared part of motherhood...labor! Granted the class I registered for doesn't start for a while, but if me registering this early is any indication on how anxious and strangely excited I am for this portion of my soon to be motherly duties, look out. And to add more to my anticipation, I of course, didn't want to train myself with the standard Lamaze class (although my class does work on breathing methods too). I had to sign up for the class I really (secretly) wanted, the Bradley Method. And for those of you who don't know what the Bradley Method is, it's a class on the Natural Childbirth technique . Although not everyone who prepares for a natural birthing experience can deliver their baby this way, I'd definitely like to try. Just the idea of this class, especially after seeing the hospital flyer with the awful 10 cm diagram (gag!) is keeping my ...

This past weekend some of my girlfriends and I headed down to Rancho Palos Verdes where we showered our good friend Megan (center, to the right of me) with lots of fun gifts to celebrate her upcoming wedding. We played some hilarious shower games and had a great time. Megan and Brent (Kyle's buddy and Megan's Beau) get hitched at the end of the month and Kyle and I couldn't be more excited for them! Photos of the big day to follow in a few weeks!