Day Two: Mount Rainier

9.25.2014

Before we had booked our flights to Washington, we had been talking with Stephen (Marcus' brother) about what we'd like to do while we were in the PNW and one thing on our list was a nature hike. I had emphasized that I was pregnant and didn't have much endurance, so I didn't want anything too long or strenuous, but was dying to see some of Washington's famous mountains. He picked the PERFECT hike! It was a 3-mile loop in Mount Rainier National Park. There were little wildflowers, hidden streams, insane views and just enough toughness that you felt like you put in a good days work by the end of the hike. We had a slight sprinkle that only added to the Washington experience. I was in love with those mountains and look forward to getting back there someday--we already picked the spot we're gonna build our little red cabin and I'll fulfill my dreams of becoming a witch doctor, right there on top of that mountain, I'm sure the forest rangers won't mind a bit :)
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he's wearing:
blue striped oxford shirt//jcrew factory (buy here)
navy jacket//gap (similar on sale here)
watch//skagen (buy here)
camera bag//case logic (buy here)
jeans//ae (buy here)
boots//last chance (similar here)

she's wearing:
faux leather jacket// (similar here)
denim vest//gap (on sale here)
watch//skagen (buy here)
striped long sleeve tee//gap (similar here)
stretchy waistband jeans//level 99 (similar here)
sandals//old (similar here)
I was pretty jealous that Margo got to hitch a ride for part of the trail ;)
When we made it to the bottom, we rushed to the car to meet the rest of the fam at Duke's Chowder House for some authentic clam chowder. It was my first experience with clam chowder and I was pleasantly surprised--it was super peppery, which i love in foods and I wished we had gotten some to take home for a midnight snack! It's super rich and filling, but i wanted more later that night for sure!

The next morning Marcus went on another, much more intense hike with the boys and then we all ate at Din Tai Fung for Lizzy's birthday dinner. The food terrified me because I'm super visually picky when it comes to meat, and the pork inside these potstickers and dumplings looked, I'll be honest--horrifying, but I was brave and gave them a try and they were quite delicious--although in the end, I mostly filled up on shrimp fried rice (YUM!) and spicy green beans (DOUBLE YUM!).

Next, it was off to Oregon!

Day One: Seattle

9.22.2014

Our first full day in the Pacific Northwest was jam packed full of some of my favorite things! 
We started off the morning at Pike Place Market with two of Marcus' siblings family, Stephen & Leone (our hosts) and Elizabeth & Dave (who were there house hunting and have since moved up there!).

We had planned on meeting everyone at a little french bakery for breakfast, but as soon as I laid eyes on Beecher's Cheese being made, there was no stopping me--Flagship Mac & Cheese was what baby and I had for First Breakfast and I wanted it again for Second Lunch--it was kind of mind-blowing.

Also their Flagship Cheddar! OH MY! I've been kicking myself for not buying some to take home ever since we left. Obviously, when everyone got there and we ended up at the French bakery, we needed to try that as well and Marcus and I split a delicious little raspberry croissant. We only split it because we knew we were headed straight for the mini donuts after...You guys, I'm pregnant and Marcus' and my hobby has always been eating, so judge not! When in Seattle...

After a half dozen mini donuts (FYI the cinnamon one's are the best, don't even try the others), we watched them throw fish for a few minutes and then made our way down the heavenly pathway of giant-flowers-for-insanely-how-prices and I cried happy tears because it was all so beautiful and cheap and then sad tears because I didn't live in Pike Place and couldn't see this sight everyday of my life. 

Further up the row, we were handed taste testers of perfectly sweet fruit from every direction, so Fourth Breakfast was the healthiest of the Breakfasts, it was two GIANT nectarines that juiced down our chin and arm as we ate it--as truly good nectarines always should.

After that, it was finalized in my mind, Pike Place Market was truly one of the Seven Wonders of the World in my book and I was in love with the place. Amen.
gum wall alley
This shirt my mom made for me makes me look SERIOUSLY pregnant, but I love it and got complimented by an old German woman and an old, hatted man who "loves ladies in hats" and apparently got the hat he was wearing from Frank Sinatra himself, so basically it was the cherry on top to my day. 
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she's wearing:
boater hat//free people (similar here)
arrow necklace//stella & dot (buy here)
buffalo check top//homemade (similar here)
jeggings//level99 (buy here)
faux leather jacket// (similar here)
watch//skagen (buy here)
sandals//old (similar here)
he's wearing:
red chambray top//j.crew factory (buy here)
jeans//ae (buy here)
boots//last chance (similar here)
After Pikes, I was stuffed, but Stephen drove us over to Paseo for a Cuban Sandwich, it was just too much meat for me, so I got some sides and had a few bites of Marcus'. Flavor was quite good if you're a meat lover. The line was kind of insane though...just a heads up.

After lunch we headed over to the college to rent canoes and explore the beautiful Lilly pads! I've never seen so many and the flowers on them were so incredibly white, they almost glowed. It was breathtaking and a lot of fun, although Marcus said I sucked at paddling because I kept getting distracted by the scenery--so sue me!
Last, but not least, we stopped by Kerry Park for a killer view of the Space Needle and to gawk at the beautiful homes in the Queen Anne's neighborhood. THOSE HOMES *heart eyes*

Day One was going to be tough to beat, but Stephen had another adventure for us up his sleeve for Day Two...

head, shoulders, knees & toes

9.19.2014

Sheets found here, Bear suit here, Pillow here

Thanks to many of your suggestions and a little more research on the subject--I have now found way too many baby boy goodies!

I thought I'd gather some favorites together (some of which are already hanging in the nursery closet!) in case you too are on the search for silly phrase free clothing! Hope you enjoy--you can click on the collage to take you to the item!

twenty-three weeks

9.11.2014

Just as my pregnancy app promised, I've been having a pretty great 2nd trimester--I generally feel good, as long as I get to take sit down {lay down} moments throughout the day and eat enough fatty foods :)
Something that I've noticed within the last week is the major increase in hunger--like I swear baby has his mouth wide open and the food I eat is going directly into his mouth and stomach instead of mine. I can eat a meal larger than I usually would and literally 20 minutes later I'm ravaged with hunger and about to kill someone if I don't get another full meal in...

I just had my first appointment with my actual doctor, rather than the nurse practitioner, and I love her. She's very to the point and doesn't talk down to me or fluff things up--that's a BIG pet peeve of mine, so when I was researching doctors, that was something I looked for. She did, however, flattery me by telling me that baby and me were scoring perfect 10's on development, which was a relief since for a long time random people were telling me I was too small and that my baby wasn't getting enough nutrients. Why do people think they get to tell you stuff like that--if you're not a doctor and I'm not asking, please, just keep it to yourself. 

Right now, my biggest pregnancy stress is baby boy clothes (i know, this is serious stuff right here)! I like really plain things that don't say things like "Daddy's Little Football Star" because, guess what, he's not daddy's football star, he's a baby, he doesn't know what a football is and he certainly would be no good at the game in his infant years anyways, so I just refuse to put that sort of stuff on my baby, but so far it's nearly impossible to find anything that doesn't cost my left kidney...woah is me! I think we'll survive.
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wearing:
boater hat//free people (similar here)
'metallica' necklace//the modboho (buy here)
black tee with leather sleeves//old (similar here)
'crop' kimono// the modboho (buy here)
bracelets//threads (buy here)
knit pencil skirt//old (similar here)
petty booties//sam edelman (buy here)

September Guest Buyer at The ModBoho!

9.10.2014

This month I've teamed up with my sister's super cute shop, The ModBoho, as a guest buyer--I'll be adding my favorite bohemian pieces (mostly clothing and accessories) to her website for the entire month of September. I had so much fun choosing and styling the items, I hope you'll check it out and shop small this month :) Be ye warned that quantities are limited, so if you see something you love, get on it quick!

xoxo, Ashley
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wearing:
wide brim hat//sold out (similar here)
coral lip color//MAC (buy here)
'metallica' necklace//the modboho (buy here)
acid wash tee//sold out (very similar here)
black leggings//lands end (buy here)
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wearing:
'paisley' peplum top//the modboho (buy here)
'gypsy soul' coin necklace//the modboho (buy here)
high waist skinnies//asos (buy here)
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wearing:
'festival' fringe kimono//the modboho (buy here)
turquoise drop necklace//old (similar here)
lace tank//old (similar here)
light wash skinnies//nastygal (buy here)
wedge booties//old (similar here)
Find all the pieces right here!
© i believe in unicorns. Maira Gall.