Foxtrot

Dress, Bag, Shoes: Vintage // Thrifted

Hat: Target

Sweater: Gift from Mother // Old Navy

Socks: UO

Oh hello there darlings, 

How nice it is to be back again and catching up with you all.  This past weekend was spent in pure blissful relaxation with our families in Philly and my hometown of Camp Hill and it was a tad bittersweet as I know this was the last weekend that I am allowed to venture out of town before the baby arrives per my doctor's orders.  So the Mr. and I took full advantage of our time away and really unplugged - which is quite a lovely thing to do every so often.  

At this stage in the game, I keep having to pinch myself as a reminder that our baby boy will be here sooner than what we feel.  This whole pregnancy really has flown by fast - it's hard to believe that here I stand at 35 weeks - it really just seems like a blink, wink, and nod...or perhaps one dance of the foxtrot.  Nonetheless, I am anxious as can be but at the same time am taking every little moment that I can to savor the little things like the gorgeous weather, afternoons by the lake, evenings on the garden, and baking up anything that my heart desires.  

That's about all for now - as I've been away I look forward to catching up with so many of your loverly spaces. 

Talk soon!

Love Bunches,  

Sponsor The Shades of Monet Chronicles in June

After taking a month off from paid sponsorships, The Shades of Monet Chronicles is back and at it with a special summertime sponsorship incentive for all ad sizes if you book before June.  All sponsors will receive 3 months - that's June, July, and August for the price of one.  I'd love to have you hop on board and give your shop or blog plenty of exposure during the summer months.  Sponsorship options are extremely affordable and are booked through Passionfruit.  Once your ad is approved, I will add the two extra months in for you.  All new ads will begin on June 1st.  Click here or on my Advertise above for more details.

Interested in sponsoring?  Let's get started :-)

Chat soon!

xo Marisa

Evenings at 34

Top, Hat, Shoes: Vintage // Thrifted

Socks: Target

I'm 34 weeks in officially and so stunned to believe that I am only 2 weeks short of when the doctor says I'm ok to go at any time.  Who knows?  Perhaps baby boy will be here sooner than we think!  Anyhow, the weather is sweet and warm and several evenings have been spent at my little garden plot getting it ready to grow just in time for summer.  The hubs and I are taking this weekend off and heading back to our hometowns to get away and spend some leisurely time together before the baby arrives and things really get turned around.  I cannot wait!  Other than that Mama is craving coconut water and banana popsicles and vegetarian chili with avocado....yum, right?  I'm finally sleeping a bit better and really feeling the urge to do some spring cleaning and sprucing up my lawn....uh oh - you know they say that is a sure sign that the baby's arrival will be soon :-)

That's about all for now.  What have you been up to lately darlings?  

Wishing you plenty of spring sunshine!

Love bunches, 

Hey Hey Mama

Dress: Miss Selfridge (2010)

Hat, Bag, Shoes: Vintage // Antique Mall

Lady Tie: Flapper Girl // Etsy

Cardi & Tights: Target

Hello and Happy Friday Darlings,

Earlier this week before arriving home, the little fam and I snuck away for a day to visit my mom and dad and celebrate Mother's Day together at Hotel Hershey - (you know, in chocolate town USA).  So we feasted and feasted and stuffed ourselves to capacity and really just enjoyed one another's company.  Being just a month and a couple weeks shy of welcoming our second little one into the world, has me super excited and always hoping that I can be as good as a mom to my kids as my mother was and always will be to me.  I'm certainly not perfect, but I do the best I can do.  As for my mom - well, she's pretty awesome, I cannot lie.  I am very thankful to have her in my life.

So that's just that.  It's officially the weekend and I am turning on relax - mode.  I see plenty of gardening and cooking in my future over the next few days...hehe.

Enjoy yours too!

Love bunches, 

Now and Then

Skirt (Dress) & Brooch: Vintage // Thrifted

Hat: Borrowed from the Mr.

Top: Modcloth

Shoes: Seychelles

Oh hello there darlings, 

I'm finally back to my home front and getting settled once again into this glorious little thing called a daily routine...trust me, I couldn't be happier!  Living out of a suitcase is not necessarily ideal especially when you are 33 weeks along - but no complaints here, it's always nice to get out of town if just for a bit and visit family and the hometown, and the city of Philly of course.

So now that I am home and kicking my feet back is in order, I'd still say I'm doing a good job of making my closet work for me during this pregnancy.  To date, I only purchased 3 maternity pieces from Asos - which were on sale - not really because I needed them, but because I thought they were especially adorable.  Vintage pieces like this little tent shaped sundress are really where it's at.  This time around, I'm very thankful to be carrying mostly in my belly (and boobs) and not my whole body like my last pregnancy.  Truth be told though, I am eating much healthier now - a lot of fruits and veggies in contrast to the Dunkin Donuts and mocha frappuccinos which I pretty much so ate five days a week while carrying Keane....haha.  My my how things change when you are a few years older :-).

So that's about it.  If you are here on the middle east coast like me, keep warm and cuddly and survive this cold front we are having.  30 - some degrees and freeze warnings?  Spring, where did you go?  Cheers to hot tea and tights and blankets.

Love bunches, 

Ipad Mini Giveaway!!!

Hello there darlings!

Just in time for the weekend, I'm happy to be taking part in an amazing giveaway hosted by ChantillySongs and some other blogger friends! We've all banded together to bring you an awesome prize for one lucky reader- a 16GB iPad Mini in white or black!! How seriously sweet is that?

The iPad Mini is a perfect and convenient device for busy people of all stripes. Great to take with you when you're on the go, and don't have room to lug your laptop along with you. You can use it as a reader, check email or browse the Internet on it, write to-do lists, reminders, record inspiration, and more! 

Please note: This giveaway will be open until May 30th, and will be open only in the US, Canada, Germany, the UK, and Australia. 

Chantilly ~ ChantillySongs ♥ Marisa ~ The Shades of Monet Chronicles ♥ Lisa ~ Lala Faux Bois ♥ Shell ~ Kitty and Buck ♥ Marilyn ~ Pulp Sushi ♥ Sammy ~ The Cookie Button ♥ Amanda E ~ Little Lady Little City ♥ Regina ~ Acute Designs ♥ Katherine ~ Of Corgis and Cocktails ♥ Amanda A. ~ Little Tranquility ♥ Joanna ~ ModaMama ♥ Roxy ~ GrrFiesty ♥ Vanessa ~ Take Only Memories ♥ Sabrina ~ The Little Owl ♥ Miss Angie ~ My So-Called Chaos ♥ Shai ~ Vagabond Studio ♥ Chelsea ~ Life Unpublished ♥ Lauren ~ A Wild Tonic ♥ Jenna ~ Kitty Cat Stevens ♥ Jessa ~ Caked Blog

Now, enter your heart out if you wish....  Best of luck darlings! xoxo Marisa 

a Rafflecopter giveaway     

Le Famille Nautique

Dress: Swapped via Jacqueline

Scarf, Bag, Shoes: Thrifted

Necklace: UO

Shirt: Target

Hello there darlings!  This is just a quick little pop in today as internet is slow as a tortoise right now.  

Oh boy baby, I'm sittin pretty here at 32 weeks and really feeling like the last leg of this marathon is the toughest.  Right now I am back in Philly as the Mr. is in business meetings and ice cubes and HGTV are the things that are making me feel comforted right now...hehe.  But when we are back home... sunny days and warm weather have finally made it to where we live and enjoying little lakeside strolls and dinners on the lake as the sun sets have been quite the charm.   Soon enough we'll be welcoming our 2nd little guy into the world and I still have to pinch myself as I type that out.   I cannot wait!

That's just about all for now.  I look forward to catching up with you once I am back home and settled cozily on my little couch.  Hope your week is as gorgeous as ever!

Love Bunches,