Mama Gabby

If I had to pick one genre of photography to stake my claim in, it would be Maternity photography.  There is something magical and intimate about taking someone's maternity photographs.  I love how expecting moms naturally cradle their bellies with little direction and smile genuinely when I give them the direction to look down at their belly.  No matter how big or small you may be, it is so important to take photos of yourself when you are pregnant.  It's one of the most special times in your life.  Brad & I are so excited for our dear friends Orion & Gabby Kevil to be joining the exclusive club known as first time parents in just a few short weeks.  Brad & Orion have been BFFs since they were 15.  They have been part of every major event in each other lives over the past 2 decades.  When we were first met Gabby, we knew that Orion had met his mate.  We couldn't be happier for our two friends to be starting a family.  Here are a few favorites from the maternity shoot we did.  

Seriously? It's like this photo shoot location was meant to be!

Is it raining? No, just Sprinkling.

Saturday morning I hosted a Sprinkle along with my dear friend Anita for our bestie Sarah.  In case you didn't know, a Sprinkle is smaller, more intimate version of a baby shower usually thrown for a second child.  In Sarah's case, she is having a boy this time so she was in need of some serious boy stuff!  

When I mentioned the idea of a onesie clothesline to Anita, her response was, "Done."  

As you can see, it turned out great!

What baby celebration isn't complete without a diaper cake??

A beautiful brunch spread with a few "boy toys" for Mama Sarah to take home with her. 

Best of luck to Sarah, Jay, & big sis Sasha!!!

5 on Friday

{one}

NKOTB new album - 10.  

It happens every time after I go to a concert - I become obsessed.  I have to listen to all the songs on the new album as well as watch you tube videos from the concerts or music videos of the songs.

{two}

Post concert crazy.

Again, it happens every time after I go to a concert.  I'm not even halfway to my car after the show and I want to google the tour schedule to see where the next show is.  I start wheeling and dealing in my head about how can I get to said next show.  It's craziness but the best kind.

Donnie Wahlberg & guest Vanilla Ice

{three}

Cups by Anna Kendrick.

We are attempting to detox Eloise from Macklemore's Thrift Shopping for obvious reasons and this is Brad's choice. 

{four}

Baby Boys

Calm down.  No news to share.  I have baby boys on my mind because my BFF is expecting her 2nd child and it is a boy this time.  I'm throwing her a little Baby Sprinkle Brunch tomorrow and I can't wait.  My craft room, Pinterest searches, and never ending to do lists have been filled with all this baby boy. 

{five} 

Bibs.

Seriously.  I'm the hunt for good bibs that Eloise can't or won't try to yank off her neck the first chance she gets.  

5 on Friday

{one}
NKOTB 

My sister Laura & I are going to the New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) concert tonight and we have amazing seats, as always.  Believe me, we get made fun of so much for our devotion to all things NKOTB but we truly don't care what anyone says.  It represents more than a Girls Night Out or an homage to our childhood.  It is not a guilty pleasure by any means.  It is 2 sisters taking time out of their busy lives to drop everything & change schedules around to attend every show that comes through the Chicago area.  Note - we went to Indiana one time.  It is 2 sisters doing something they love with the one person in the world who understands it completely.  We have a couple ground rules for NKOTB shows:

1. Never have a budget or a limit on the price we will pay for good seats
2. Study up on the new music before the show. 
3. Don't drink alot of liquid before the show because bathroom breaks are not an option when NKOTB is on stage.
4. You have to buy some item of NKOTB swag.
5. Wear flats.
6. Donnie is mine; Jordan is Laura's.  No room for sharing.
7. Don't invite other people to the show because I'm sure they cannot follow the above listed rules.

{two}
RIP Cory Monteith
It broke my heart to hear the news of Cory Monteith dying this past weekend.  I immediately thought of Lea Michelle who has played his girlfriend on Glee and had that same role in real life.  I'm a huge sucker for a good love story, especially between 2 characters in real life.  I've loved Glee from the pilot episode and rooted for Finn & Rachel from the start.  The story of his death is so tragic as he was so talented. 



{three}
Infant-to-Toddler Rocker
When it comes to getting ready in the morning, it is all about containing and entertaining Eloise.  She has outgrown all "containment" items we have whether it be in size or interest.  I stumbled upon the Infant-to-Toddlet rocker when I doing some birthday present idea searching and thought it would be worth a try.  I know my older nieces still enjoy using this as Toddler so I was hopeful.  After the first try, I would say that Eloise gives it a thumbs up! 

{four}
Michael Kors bag.
I'm a sucker for monograms and initials.  When I was engaged, I was always eyeing all things Michael Kors because of the "MK" monogram that perfectly matched my initials for my perferred name - Mandy Kalins.  Much to my surprise, I got a sleek Michael Kors tote for my birthday from my mother-in-law.  I decided to deem it my at-work bag - the bag I bring to meetings, lunch, and errands around the hospital.  It's absolutely perfect!


{five}
1st Family Vacation.
We are stepping into unchartered territory tomorrow by going overnight for the first time with Eloise.  We are going to Timber Ridge Waterpark at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva.  Granted, it is only one night but it's still a big deal.  Wish us luck as we try to remember all the essentials, not bring too much, and try to have fun!

Photo a Day: Week 2

Day 8: Path

 Day 9:  It was my birthday, so I forgot.

 Day 10: Smooth

Day 11: I wore this!

 Day 12: A Bad Habit.  Forgetting about the Dog.

 Day 13: 4 o'clock

Day 14: Edible

5 on Friday

Here we go again! 

I was bitten by the "link up" bug in May when I did the Blog Every Day in May Challenge so when one of my fave bloggers Sara posted about "5 on Friday" today, I couldn't resist.  5 on Friday couldn't be more perfect for Sew Snappy since all I have to do is blog about 5 things in my life...any 5 things.  I'm sure some weeks I could do a 50 on Friday but let's not get cocky. 

1. Throw it out!
This past week we were all about cleaning up and throwing stuff out.  I'm talking fill up those big black contractor bags to the brim type of clean up.  One of my favorite things to do is to throw stuff out so garbage day was heaven for me on Monday. 

2. Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke.
We are obsessed with this song in our house - even the baby.  Let's be real - you are obsessed too.

3. Birthdays on the Brain
This week and next week involve mine & Brad's birthdays - July 9th & 15th respectively.  In our family, we do birthday weeks so it is non stop cards in the mail, using gifts cards, taking tissue paper out of the baby's mouth, and eating treats for 2 weeks straight!  With that said,  we are in full on birthday party planning mode as Eloise's 1st Birthday is next month.  Don't worry,  when it is all said & done, I will make my secret Pinterest board public for all the world to see.

4. Summer Fedora Hats
I love this look so I bought one this week.  How come I don't look as cute as Lauren Conrad or Jennifer Lopez like the big posters at Kohl's?  Is it my big head, curly hair, or both?  Hopefully I figure out how to rock this puppy and it doesn't collect dust here the rest of the summer.

5. Swim suit shopping still sucks
I don't know why I thought that I could slip on my swimsuits from last year and they would still fit after I squeezed in them at 30+ weeks pregnant last summer.  Stretched out is an understatement for what that bump did to my suits.  We are going away next weekend and I've been on the hunt for a cute "mom" suit. So far, lots of returned purchases. Maybe Eloise will let me borrow her suit...

Care to join in?  Click here for more info

July Daily Photo Project - Week 1

I stumbled upon a daily photo challenge when I was surfing Instagram for the month of July & decided to get on board.  I truly miss doing my Project 365 but a monthly challenge is less daunting at this point.    Thanks to @jess_dondo for the inspiration!  You can find the list of photo challenges here. 

Day 1: Happiness is...

 Day 2: Shoes

 Day 3: Cold

 Day 4: Red, White or Blue

 Day 5: Love

 Day 6: Fave Smell

 Day 7: Where you are