Fall Splendour

I can't tell you how much I love this time of year! Maybe it has something (a little something) to do with my birthday but I think its mostly the crispness in the air and the changing of fall colours.  Most of all, I love the availability of mulled hot apple cider, pumpkins and everything harvest-like!



Source



Source



Source

Till next time...

Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra
xoxo

Nest-a-holic!

Just an update as to what I've been up to....nesting! Here's what I found out about it on Pregnancy Weekly:


"Females of the animal kingdom are all equipped with this same need. It is a primal instinct. Just as you see birds making their nests, mothers-to-be do exactly the same thing. The act of nesting puts you in control and gives a sense of accomplishment toward birth. You may become a homebody and want to retreat into the comfort of home and familiar company, like a brooding hen. The nesting urge can also be seen as a sign of the onset of labor when it occurs close to 40 weeks of pregnancy." 





I swear, we're all just animals to the core! Here are some things I've been swooning over: 


My child's furniture:



This is not a picture of the room ... that will come soon! But I am so excited about the furniture I'm taking my time thinking about how to dress it up :) 



Source
So girly, I know, but who could resist??



Source
Of course we need a bassinet :)

Source
Obsessed with sterilization!



Yes, I hired a cleaning lady...I can't do it all on my own because I can't even walk some days :)



Source
Doing what I can...I have been organizing like crazy!




That's all for now!  Talk soon.


Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra 
xoxo

I'm Back....with a bump!

I have been the most horrible blogger lately, so horrible that its safe to say I took a bit of a hiatus. Sure, I'm preggo and I won't bore my readers with all the preggo-related reasons as to why I just haven't felt like blogging ... so I'll just continue with another post and hope we can make amends, my loves!

I wanted to give you an update as to how I've been doing, size-wise!  So here are a few pictures of my progression from as early as possible to the most recent!

 10 weeks

 15 weeks

 19 weeks

 21 weeks

23 weeks

 26 weeks

 28 weeks

30 weeks

So far so good....right now I'm 32 weeks today so about 8 more weeks to go!!!!

Pink and Sparkles,

Alessandra
xoxo

Backyard Retreat

We have quite a large backyard now but might, might, might be moving within the next year so the thought of another major investment (beyond the entire house reno) is out of the question.  I do, however, have high hopes for a harmonious outdoor retreat at my next house.

Outdoor fireplace(s) are a must with an outdoor pizza oven for my husband the pizza fanatic (ok, me too).

Who need to go to a resort to have swim-up bars?

I also want a pool house like this.

 
Outdoor rooms are a MUST.

And maybe a space for gardens....

Ok, I got a little carried away...this is more like it.

Can't wait to show you pictures from my dream backyard one day.

Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra
xoxo

And its a....

So, we found out what we're having...in case that's too convoluted, its a girl!!  My readers will know that this was probably inevitable for me...at least for my first. I know this is a cliche, but I really wouldn't have cared either way (something about overalls on a boy makes my heart melt).  Nonetheless, I believe God gives you what God gives you for a reason and I graciously accept!  I hope she loves ballet as much as I do.Here's looking to frilly, girly, pink and sparkly things everywhere :)

Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra
xoxo

Yeah, so?!

Its raining today and I wore my new boots.

Public reviews are mixed: some look at me as if Im literally walking with live animals on my feet to protect me from the rain (ducks, perhaps?), others smile and literally say "those boots are so bright they brighten up the day" (thanks, young children).  Trust me, I don't care, nor do I seek out this approval but I find it hilarious that a colour activates so much human facial activity (God only knows what's going mentally).  I should note that the same thing happened when I started wearing my pink sparkly ballet flats five years ago before sparkly flats were really "in", people were in shock (the gall).

I feel that when I walk around Toronto (especially the financial district where I work) I see people in either black, gray and a darker gray. Every season, every day, its the staple colour to wear to work.  Some go outside of the lines (crazy kids), but its few and far between.

We are too afraid of colour and should take some lessons from our European friends who toy with colours a lot more for every day (even carreer) wear.

Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra
xoxo

Stunning

Kate, the wedding and everything about it was absolutely gorgeous!  Its a fairytale I wholeheartedly take part in becuase, lets be honest, I wish I was a princess :)

Loving this picture...but enjoying, perhaps even more, the wee one at the bottom left who really isn't having any more of the noise from the crowd...lol!

Have a fabulous day!

Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra
xoxo

Much rather be...

Exhausted today!  Can't wait till this work day ends so I can nap at home.  Have a fab day, lovers.


Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra
xoxo

2 Stripes, Whoa Baby!

My loves,
First of all, I have been a terrible blogger for the last while and for that, I am sooooo sorry.  But I have good reason I promise you.  Observe:

Ohhhh thats right....everything LIFE indeed! I had to do it three times in the same night because I didn't believe it the first or second time (I actually did the test for a few days after JUST to be sure).

Now that I have some energy back and I'm in my second trimester, expect some more regular blogging to commence.

So excited to share this journey of my life with you all :)

Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra
xoxo

Spring in my Step

I can't tell you how excited I am that spring has finally sprung!  Those of you who live in areas of this world engulfed by snow most of the time, understand how I feel.  One of my favourite parts about this fresh season are these little ones outside my window each morning:

{picture source}

A welcomed sound no matter what the day will bring.  Happy spring everyone!

Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra
xoxo

How does she do it?

How does Miss. Middleton keep those token black shoes she wears everywhere so clean?! Looks like she treks on some pretty uneven and dirty roads most of the time.  Who is her shoe-keeper I wonder...observe:

Source, source, source, source


Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra
xoxo

Don't leave Dior behind

Today, marks Paris Fashion Week's Dior show.  Here's what I think; just because some fool opened his mouth and said something stupid doesn't mean that over six decades of beauty and long-lived history of this fashion house should be forgotten. John Galliano will be reprimanded for what he said and even ousted from the house...the clothes and iconic name and fashion will live on:

{picture source}

Pink and Sparkles,

Alessandra

xoxo

I need sunshine...

The winter blues got me this year....I feel like the only thing that will get me out of it will be something like:

 

 Olivia Palermo for Tibi Spring/Summer 2011

Or this:

Yellow Carolina Herrera at this year's New York Fashion Week

Then again, I do have a bright yellow dress...I need to wear it desperately.

That's  me in the middle with my husband behind me, we're flanked by two of our couple friends before another friends wedding :)

Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra

Away....

Hello lovelies and sorry I haven't posted in a while...busy with, well, life.....new posts coming soon!

Hope you are all keeping warm if there is snow where you live!

{picture source}


Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra
xoxo

INKredible fabulOCTOcy (yes, I made up my own words)

Surly, by now, we have all seen the fabulous octopus chair by Maximo Riera, no?  This Spanish artist/poet has really pushed the envelope with what he calls his "Animal Collection"... I couldn't love it more!

"The Animal Chair collection constitutes a diverse range of species, from mammals to reptiles, and even including insects. Each creation retains the animal's natural vitality whilst being totally biological accurate in their appearance. This collection is homage to these animals and the whole animal kingdom which inhabits our planet, as an attempt to reflect and capture the beauty of nature in each living thing.

Octopus Book: the Octopus Chair is the first piece of the Animal Chair collection, and it establishes a base and point of departure for the pieces to come."

It looks like a gorgeous black dress with a very long train (insert dream of wearing BIG black ball gown to an event here).  Truth be told, I love this animal and if I had room in my house, I'd definitely look to purchasing this unique piece. What do you think?

Pink and Sparkles (and a bit of black ink),

Alessandra 

xoxo

Hop, hop, hop into a new year

No, I'm not Chinese but I love the culture and therefore follow the Chinese horoscope to a certain degree.


February 3, 2011 marks the beginning of a a new Chinese new year and the year of the Rabbit.  Here is what being born in the year of the rabbit means:

"People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog." {source}


Chinese character for the Rabbit:

 

 

And, just for the fun of it all.....

{source}

 So random....

{source}

Happy Friday my loves!

Pink and Sparkles,

Alessandra 

xoxo