inspiration for a first birthday...

our son's first birthday is fast approaching ( january 19th to be exact) & i have been gathering little details to help execute a winter "one"derland party for him.  

think plaids + birch + rustic + chili. i know what you're thinking & allow me to beat you to the punch. there is really nothing childish about this. that's ok. he is going to be completely overwhelmed enough by the 40+ people staring at him that he won't have time to notice, and it will all be ok once that first fistful of cake takes effect. there will be plenty of years left for mickey + elmo + jake. 

14 more days baby, and you are ONE.

all photos courtesy of pinterest

 let's brainstorm my menu:

sweet heat beans & meat chili

mashed potato bar

mac & cheese

killer cornbread

winter spinach salad

vegan mexican chocolate cake

s'mores for the kiddos

hot chocolate

seasonal ales

my mouth is watering, what about you?

what do you think??

xoxo

car

say hello to my newest obsession...

LEGWARMERS

what can i say?

once an 80s child always an 80s child. 

santa bought me these from free people.

i've also gone on a bit of a spree and bought a bunch more. 

its the only thing i wear when i am home.

xoxo

car

merry christmas from ours to yours

our first family christmas was truly special.

it was filled with family, good homemade food, baby laughs and SNOW.

couldn't have gotten much better - just wish my NONNA could've been here with us.

she spent christmas in Maryland with my uncle & his family, i suppose it's only fair to share once in a while.

buon natale

xoxo

car

crosby's first christmas tree.

crosby joined in for the chopping down of his very first christmas tree this weekend. 

he seemed to enjoy it, but let's face it, once we were home, he was more interested in the cars driving 

by than the gigantic tree in our sunroom. 

 crosby & his godfather

 crosby & santa; he is TOTALLY skeptical.

 us, in front of the winning tree.

what do you do to make the holidays extra special for your little one?

xoxo

car

i've got a turkey of my own.

crosby's first thanksgiving was wonderful. 

he gobbled up every bite of his first thanksgiving meal.

i just can't get enough of this face. ever.

our thanksgiving was filled with 

baby laughs, wine, food, pumpkin pie, 

bonfires, outlets, football, snuggling and family.  

it was the best.  

 how was yours?

xoxo

car

the cooler cleanse - day 3

it's day 3 & i just finished my last juice. do you know what that means?! 

i DID it!

i successfully ate no food for 3 whole days and drank good-for-me juice instead! 

and while yes, yesterday was a tough day for me, today was so much better! 

today i felt energized, light and so clear-headed, i was even in a really good mood 

(which for me is pretty impressive considering i haven't eaten in 3 days and 

am notorious for getting "hangry")!  it's like i've reached enlightenment, ha.

today's juices were all the same as day 1 except for drink number 2 which 

was grapefruit + mint, easily my favorite of the day.  

call me over-zealous, but i am just so proud of myself! i have a new found realization for 

what i put in my mouth, and vow to savor every bite and not waste it on bad-for-me junk.

this cleanse was overall an enjoyable experience, by the end of day 3 though i am ready to stop 

consuming so much liquid, i feel like all i've been doing is drinking! and not the flip-cup-kind.

now the toughest part; what will be for breakfast??!!!

my last almond nut milk, down the hatch.

i really can do anything i put my mind to, can't i?

xoxo

car

the cooler cleanse - day 2

day 2 & i am still living people! all of the drinks today were the same as yesterday with the exception of drink number 4. my nemesis drink - young coconut water. words cannot express how much i did NOT like this drink! blech! ah, well knowing i had drink six, my boyfriend, mr. almond nut milk, to look forward to made all well in the world. but alas, even these thoughts couldn't get me to finish it. then the rest of the night got away from me (bathtime for baby etc) and i ended up never drinking drink 5. then, around 7pm i attempted to drink my favey mr. almond milk and i couldn't finish it. i feel tired and hungry and slightly nauseous with a headache. so, i've given in and eaten a couple raw almonds to make up for the loss in the 2.5 drinks. on the bright side, i did a little more for me today, which was nice. i was on the road today for work, then after work i treated myself to an hour of yoga + an hour massage.  on the darkside, my husband ate mac & cheese for dinner and i never so badly wanted anything in my life. i watched him with half hate half adoration imagining the gooey cheese melting more in my mouth. ugh. i'm hoping tomorrow is a better day! almost there... 

for now, i have a hot date with my pillow. 

xoxo

car