My Vintage Milk Glass Collection

Milk glass vases has become a small obsession of mine over the last five years. There are so many interesting patterns and they are so nostalgic, I just can't help myself when I go thrifting and I see one of these beauties for a buck. 

 This collection is on display in my pantry cabinet. I like the way they look, all different shaped, pattered, but all the same milky white colour.

Enjoy Collecting!
Gabrielle

25 weeks Mama Style

I love the rain. I've got to growing up in the Lower Mainland. But we had an incredibly sunny and mild day this last Sunday so we were able to get some shots in at the Lost Lagoon. It is so beautiful there with all of the leaves that have changed colours and the swans. Its definitely a gem of Vancouver.

Ezra was playing in the yard the other night and it just struck me... you are the little boy that I've always dreamed of being a mommy to. It was pretty simple, but I felt like I've been taking him for granted when I had that thought. He is amazing, my role in his life is a precious and so important. This baby will be too. I can still remember missing Ezra's little kicks and nudges a few days after he was born. I am sure I am going to feel the same when this one is born too. I have now though... and that is all that matters. I am really enjoying it.

Outfit Details:
- plum dress - Spank
- skinny black belt - Old Navy
- maternity leggings - Assets
- necklace - pressed forget me nots handmade by my dad

24 weeks Mama Style

Its been super rainy here in the Lower Mainland, which is why I had to skip out on week 23! Here is week 24 though. All bundled up at the park.

Might have been just me, but when I was a little girl I had a pretty good appetite. Some people would even comment on it, "She's a growing girl." I kind of feel like that again since I am hungry almost all of the time right now.

I have also been nesting this week! Its kind of crazy because its seems really early to be baking, cooking and cleaning more than normal. It makes sense though. With my first pregnancy I felt like I couldn't do ANYTHING for the last couple month so maybe I'm just preparing for that happening again. Hopefully not. Hoping for the best this time around as the third trimester approaches.

Outfit Details:
- vintage coral coat - thrifted
- striped cream cami - Romy
- ultra light pink cardigan - Plenty
- spotted scarf - Esprit
- black rubber boots - Joe Fresh
- white belt - second hand

22 weeks Mama style

This is week 22. The time is just flying by! I have hardly had a chance to even start thinking about getting stuff we might need for baby #2. I guess we pretty much have everything we really need though from baby #1 still, unless its a girl? I really couldn't say if I 'felt' like it was one way or the other. It kind of seems unreal to me still...

Outfit Details:
- stripey vintage sweater - thrifted
- denim button up - Dex
- black skinny maternity jeans - Zara
- brown hiking boots - Thinsulate
- vintage anchor pin - my mom gave it to me. she bought it when she went to Hawaii when she was a teen!

2nd Trimester Buddies

 I'm almost out of my second trimester now for my second time around. So far it HAS been the dreamy trimester that I've read about in pregnancy books and online helps. YAY! I have definitely not been as tired or nauseated, but sometimes it is still hard to stay motivated to stay positive with crazy hormones and an ever changing and GROWING body.

Here are some items I have found helpful during this time:

1. Lip Stain - By Benefit. Its a repeat item from my 1st trimester collage and its a goody for similar reasons. Instead of not needing to be concerned about smudges because of things coming out though, this time its not needing to be concerned about smudging lipstick when things are going in. It definitely helps fight the Frumpy Dumps like I mentioned in my post about the Maternity Style Dilemma. It helps to have a bit of makeup to enhance that maternal glow.

2. Stay Don't Stray - Eye Primer by Benefit. This stuff is amazing! With hormone levels escalating I've found that my skin is oilier than usual. The outcome is drudgey eye make-up by the end of the day. This product has really done what the title claims. It also has helped in the aid of covering up the redness of some pesky angry little zits that have popped up this trimester.

3. Brita Water Bottle - Is another repeat item from my 1st trimester collage. I have been busy this trimester making up for lost time from my first and in preparation for the third and ultimately baby time! With so much to do, its easy to forget something as essential as drinking water! This water bottle can be filled up anywhere and filters on the go since the filter is inside the bottle and works as you drink.

4. Maternity Pants - So I had two pairs of maternity jeggings that stretched out during my last pregnancy. In searching for ways to alter clothes for pregnancy I came across this wonderful blog called Cotton and Curls. She has regular feature articles on her maternity looks, how to alter or refashion clothes for maternity and non maternity and easy to follow free DIY's. I used her tutorial on how to tailor your trousers as a guide to alter my pants so that I could wear them again this time around. I just couldn't see spending more money again on something I am only going to wear for five more months! I am so glad we live in a blogger age where people can share such helpful information!

5. Sports Cross-over Bra - During this trimester the ladies grow, get heavier and need support, even at night. I have seen a lot of these bras marketed specifically for pregnant/nursing women, but they really are exactly the same as the ones you can find in the non maternity active wear sections of department stores for half the price. I got both my two cotton bras for $20 at the Bay. I will probably use them all through the nursing stage like I did the first time around. They really make a difference at nighttime at holding it all in while I thrash about, trying to find a comfy spot on our double bed.

6. Lavender and Tea Tree Essential oils - By Escents. Back to those pesky little zits... These two versatile oils do a number on them. I get a q-tip with a drop of each oil on it and dab those little suckers before bedtime. They usually dry up or at least shrink dramatically... even those "I hate you" underground hard ones that show up. Lavender aids in healing the skin, and Tea tree is a strong disinfectant, well they both are, but the combo rocks!

7. Stretch Mark Prevention Oil - By Escents. Prevention is the best treatment. I lathered my tummy up with this oil and I did still get some stretch marks, but probably not as bad as they could have been. What I WISH someone told me though, was to put it not just on the tummy, but the hips, thighs, lower back, and breasts!  This oil has super great ingredients: Evening Primrose Oil, Almond Oil, Mandarin and Lavender, and most importantly Vitamin E, help prevent scars before they appear.

21.5 weeks Mama Style

21 and a half weeks? Okay, I probably won't do this too often but I guess I've been feeling so good that I have done this feature twice in one week! 

Outfit Details:

- dress - Plenty
- cream cami - Romy
- black cardigan - Dynamite
- gray maternity jeggings (taken in to be slimmer at the ankles) - Thyme Maternity
- moccasins - Winners
- necklace - handmade by my dad for my graduation outfit (it has little forget-me-nots pressed between two pieces of glass)

Lentil Couscous Soup - From My Kitchen

This simple and tasty soup is hearty, and would be perfect on a cool Autumn's day! It features the delicate flavor of fennel matched with Garam Masala. I think I feel a craving coming on...

What you will need

1 Tbsp of olive oil
1 small onion chopped
2 large carrots sliced
1/2 large fennel bulb chopped
1 lb of tomatoes chopped
1 box of low sodium chicken/ veggie broth
1 tsp of curry powder
1/2 tsp of ginger powder
1 Tbsp Garam Masala
2/3 cup of dried red lentils
1/2 cup of whole wheat dry couscous

1/4 toasted slivered almonds (optional) 

Method:

1. Heat oil in large pot. 
2. On medium heat, add chopped vegetables and brown. Add a sprinkle of salt to help the browning process.
3. Add broth and bring pot to a boil.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients and let the put simmer for about 15-20 minutes. 

Serves 4