Florida Dreaming

My in-laws are off to Florida this weekend, and between the anxiety of the school year and the 6th month of pregnancy I wish i was anywhere but the Northeast (though I do love the New England fall season, don't get me wrong!). When I think of the warm sunlight of the southern getaway state, I think of white, ocean blues, and natural wood. Ideally you have a place in your home where you can feel the calm, serene vibes you'd experience on a Florida vacation anytime of the year. This is what my ideal Florida room might look like, complete with the hum of breaking waves in the distance. 

This post was inspired by Douglas Elliman - they can help you find your dream home or rental. If you'd like to browse some of their Florida properties, you can check them out here.

7 Years

7 Years ago, we were dancing the night away and Oheka Castle on one of the best nights of our lives.

7 years later, we are cuddling our precious 5 year old (while he still allows such displays of affection), painting pumpkins at the kitchen table in our new Connecticut home and talking to the baby soon to be born (while stocking the wine fridge in anticipation of finally being able to drink again!)

Home Decor: Kitchen

Small but big in impact is a kitchen back splash. We never got around to putting one in at our former house, and oddly enough its one of the features our new house was similarly lacking (that along with any sort of light fixtures in the kitchen and dining area). Though I love classic white subway tile, I didn't think a shiny white back splash would exactly fit. We opted instead for the traditional size and cut of subway tile, but in a sheer, glass tile with monochromatic grout.

Sherman Williams lazy gray painted walls throughout

Monogrammed canisters from Pottery Barn

cutting boards from Wayfair, menu easel from Amazon

All lighting fixtures from Pottery Barn, bowl a gift from my dear friend Christine, also from Pottery Barn

Insta-Snaps

17 weeks/4 months pregnant, last week in regular jeans

living room in progress

work from home dress code

Play-doh fun

Long Island friends came to visit us in CT!

1st day of Kindergarten at his brand new school

21 weeks/5 months pregnant- had to give and and go with maternity jeans

Weekend morning arts & crafts

Thoughts on a Friday (Kindergarten edition)

Tucker started Kindergarten yesterday. I spent all day thinking about what he was doing, if he made any friends, if he ate his lunch, if he listened, if he talked, if he laughed, how he'd find his bus when it was time to go home. After attending the orientation the day prior, which was chaotic to say the least, I had a perpetual knot in my stomach making it impossible to eat and difficult to hold back tears that seemed to well and flow at the mere mention of Tucker and school. Watching the other kids run to each other, mothers giving well known hugs to fellow parents and so much familiarity made me deeply sad at the life we left behind. And next came the doubt, questioning why exactly we moved 130 miles away to a place where I still don't really know a single person, am often isolated and alone, and longing for nothing more than simple things like my office and my friends, and the occasional play date for Tuck.

Moving is hard, and we are in month #3. I wish to undo it at least once each week. Friends who made similar large scale moves have said it takes a year. But I fear that will be like when people said it takes 12 weeks for the baby to become easier. I watched the calendar with Tucker back in 2011, willing the days to tick by. And then when it struck the 3 month mark, I wondered what was wrong with me, and why wasn't the magic transition upon us yet as promised?

One day at a time, yes?