Where to eat Wednesday: Waterloo and City

Do you have a favorite restaurant?

Today I thought I'd share one of my favorite places with you. I think "favorite" for me depends on what genre, but this one is the go-to for a good drink and fancy food in a chic and almost rustic environment in Culver City, called Waterloo and City. They converted this restaurant a few years ago from an old diner or something similar, and we went last year for my birthday dinner, it was DELISH.

I'd recommend going here for a splurge, and trying one of their charcuterie plates. I'd never tried that before, and everything was so delectable. And don't worry, if you don't really know what charcuterie is, I didn't know either. Just go and try it out, call it an adventure!

Who said British food is bland? This place is giving that old stereotype a run for its money! Hope you get the chance to try it out!

Born and Raised

Have you heard the new John Mayer album yet? It was just released last week, and I definitely recommend picking it up. John rarely disappoints, but I'd have to say that his last album was one of my lesser favorites. This one however, is refreshing, bringing together his always penetrating lyrics and jazzy melodies. You should check it out for yourself!

Have you got any new music recommendations?

Swoon

This beautiful bride designed her own dress! Isn't it so pretty and feminine? If I got hitched again, or more appropriately, renewed my vows, I would love to try on this beauty for size.

During the wedding planning process, dress shopping was my FAVORITE. Although, the prices easily got ridiculous. I remember trying on a dress just for fun, and while it probably was perfect, the sales woman actually tried to justify the outrageous price by saying "just try to cut some things out of your budget.." I was like, um, like all of the food!?

Even with a limited budget, that didn't matter, I had fun. I remember thinking that I loved every dress. But even though, I probably went to ten stores because no matter how beautiful each dress was I couldn't see myself getting married in it. I remember considering how the dress would hold up as I performed my dirty dancing (yes, dirty dancing) number with Zac. And voile, I chose a hopelessly simple cotton number from J Crew. I never thought I'd end up with something so simple. But it made it that much more fun to accessorize and make my own. Just goes to show how much I know.

Do you have a dream dress? Did you like dress shopping when you were engaged?

(top photo via 100 Layer Cake and second photo of me and Zac :)

Positively Positive

What a great article from Agapi Stassinopoulos, a writer and contributer to the Huffington Post. It outlines ten sayings from Agapi's late mother, an obviously wise and inspirational woman. I think this is so quintessentially what Living Proper is all about. Although it's hard to pick a favorite, I think the saying "You can't be grateful and unhappy at the same time" is mine. They're all amazing really, and it just reminds me how simple wisdom can be. Check it out, and tell me, what do you think?

I hope you have a positively, positive day.

(photo of Agapi and her mother)

Untamed Petals

How pretty (and affordable!) is this short little number from the recently launched Amanda Judge Collection. The collection is associated with Untamed Petals, a store I found on Etsy during my wedding planning, where I found my awesome hair piece.. <3

I remember this being a splurge for me because it was just an accessory, and not exactly inexpensive. But one of my bridesmaids convinced me to get it, as you only get married once, and I am so glad she did.

So I recommend you check out their website! What's your favorite new party dress? Mine is definitely the Garden Party dress in ivory (above).

What do you love most about your home?

I LOVE that we have our very own washer and dryer in our apartment :)

(photo via Design Sponge)

Happy Friday!

Play talk

Saw this fantastic quote and wanted to share.

"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation". Plato <3 (photo via sexanddesign)

What are your cold remedies?

My co-worker told me to gargle with salt water yesterday when I felt this cold coming on. That's what I always tell people too, thanks to mom and grandma's advice. But sadly, sometimes you just can't beat a cold. But maybe it helps the symptoms, or at least I'd like to think so. So today, I'm staying at home, watching old episodes of Glee and listening to John Mayer's new album to try and make me feel better. I suppose it could be worse.

So what are your cold remedies? Any suggestions to help me get back to 100%? I plan on visiting Jamba Juice later and stay hydrated, but am open to suggestions.

Hope you are feeling well!

(photo via howsweeteats)

Splurge

When was the last time you splurged on something? I had been saving to buy this dress, and it has arrived! I'm excited to wear it to my bro-in-law's wedding this summer and/or my birthday! The best part, Hatch, the company behind the design, specializes in making pretty dresses like these that are wearable both during and after baby! So I feel like I'll get my money's worth with this one.

I hear mint is the "it" color this season. Thoughts?

(photo of the Caftan dress in mint silk)

My New Addiction

Bejeweled. Ok, maybe it's not the newest game. Old even. But this thing is addictive. The clincher? Zac set all these high scores after playing on my phone, and so now, the main mission in my life is to beat them all.

I guess I'm pretty competitive. How 'bout you?

Rockin' the Bump

It's official. This picture can't deny. Once baby's gender was revealed, it seems like he said "I'm here!, look at me!"

I've been getting a lot of "you don't even look pregnant!". But now, at 20 weeks, look at that bump! (even if I did eat tacos right before, I don't think that changed much..) Plus, what a cool comparison photo from a month ago, where I was wearing the same dress. Now, he's as big as a banana! And getting bigger everyday! :)

This picture was taken at my cousin's 1st year birthday in Santa Maria. It was such a pretty day, with lovely wind, a soft shining sun, and a snow cone machine! Way fun! Happy Birthday Linken!!

Is It Just Me, Or...

Does this doughnut look like the best thing in the entire universe right now!?

There are more delicious photos here, but I wouldn't torture yourself. Unless you live in New York, in which case I would ask you to please go and eat one for me with a hot cup of coffee! Thanks!

(via Hither and Thither)

Drum Roll Please...

So honest to goodness, I had no idea. My aunts were adamantly predicting boy, and Zac thought girl at first and changed his guess to boy at the last minute, and one of my best friends, AJ, thought it was a girl so strongly that she actually sounded disappointed when I told her the news, that IT'S A BOY!!

I thoroughly plan on him being a mama's boy- and cannot wait to meet the little man. I haven't stopped smiling all day.

So was your guess right? Did you or would you have a preference when you have babies? Any tips for raising little boys?

P.S. Best of all- he's healthy! All I could ask for. <3 (photo via Oh Happy Day)

Would you rock the oxfords?

I'm lovin this woman who so effortlessly rocks these oxfords. Would you dare? I think they're such a fun fashion statement. Dressy but casual on a woman, fashionable yet flat! I would love to wear them with what she's wearing!

(photo via wit and delight)

Cool Clock..

In honor of my (slight) obsession with telling time... What a cool way to do so!!

(via Designed for Life)

Friday nights

In honor of this glorious Monday, I thought I'd bring up a topic I know everyone is already thinking about: Friday.

What is your favorite thing to do on a Friday night? Last Friday, Zac and I went to our friends' apartment, ate amazing home-made tacos, and played board games. That, my friends, was a damn perfect Friday night.. (and I didn't even win the board game!)

So what is it for you? A nice dinner out? Doing something you've never done before? Clubbin' it? Poker night? I'm curious!

(photo with two of my favorites in the middle from Senor Parrot's blog)

Happy Birthday Mom!

Not only is today Mother's Day, but it's my momma's birthday! So this weekend we are in Palm Springs celebrating, and so far we've gone swimming, played board games, and eaten delicious Reubens! I'm so glad I get to spend this special birthday and mothers day with you mom! You're a great role model for this future momma!

Pre-Natal Yoga

Ever since finding out about being pregnanct, I struggled with exercising regularly because I had to stop the two active things I was doing before getting pregnant- hot yoga and kickboxing. So a couple of weeks ago I started a pre-natal yoga class at Fred Segal Studio. I didn't know exactly what to expect. Would it be just like regular yoga? Would I fit in? What would the other mommies be like? Luckily, my co-worker's wife introduced me to it, so I trusted it was a good recommendation.

So I went, and of course, the women were lovely and the instructor fabulous. I love it. It gives me another sense of connection to the baby, taking the time to hold my belly, focus my energy, and take care of me and the little nugget's growing body. So, so far so good! I would highly recommend it for any expecting mommies in the future! I only go once a week but it's such a great way to spend a Sunday morning and I leave feeling energized and strong. I suppose this recommendation extends to regular yoga too- it seems like common sense, but sometimes we forget how restorative it can be!

Would you do yoga when pregnant? Or another exercise? Next up, I'm going to start swimming!

Let Them Eat CAKE

How gorgeous are these cakes!?

Wouldn't you just love this beautiful dessert table at your wedding? Those flowers add such a romantic and artistic burst to the otherwise white palates. One of my best friends made the cake for our wedding, and it was simple like this. We also had pie and cookies, but I loved the white cream and delicious red velvet and carrot cake insides of the cake. Problem is, these cakes are so pretty, you don't want to cut them! ;)

(cake from sweetandsaucyshop located in Long Beach!)

Mango

Today marks the start to week 19 and our little fruit is going from a sweet potato to a Mango! Now, I'm just waiting to feel a kick!:) That's all for today. Hope your day is sweet!

Little Black Dress

Check out this sexy little number over at Emerson Fry. I wish I could buy this right now instead of maternity clothes! :) Would you wear it?

Hope your Monday is beautiful!

Far and Away

Have you ever seen the epic romance/ destiny/ drama Far and Away? It's one of my faves- timeless, passionate, and full of dreams. I think my favorite scene in the movie is at the end (spoiler alert?) when Tom Cruise puts his flag in the earth and claims it as his own in the actually historical "Land Run of 1893". Since seeing this movie as a kid, I've always identified with that dream and said I imagine doing the same thing one day- to own land, to have my own little slice of the pie in America. It seems that owning a house is apparently a very American thing, I remember a professor telling me that renting is much more accepted in Europe, whereas here it really is the American Dream to own a house, isn't it?

I think it means more to me because my parents never bought a house. Which, by the way, I completely understand. But I think not experiencing that has made me want it more, something to hand down, to fix up, to stay put. Anyway, it makes sense that I'd be thinking about this given the "nesting" instinct that is currently occurring in my head. AND, this month happens to mark the 20th year since this beloved movie came out. So, if you haven't seen it, set aside a few hours on a lovely Sunday like today and prepare to get swept away!

What are your favorite movies? I also love Little Miss Sunshine. :)

LA v. NY

VS

In the spirit of connecting to two of my earlier posts this week, check out this fun feature on 'city smack downs' from the CNN website. I like the part about not judging a place before you've lived there a year. Or at least visited! Of course, everywhere can't be for everyone, but I think there's good and bad to all places, and I love when people stand up for what they love (without putting other (places) down of course). What do you think? Are you a NY or LA person? I have to say, I love them both! LA is a great place to call home, and I always adore my trips to NY. What's your city?

You Got Soul?

This is one of those songs that I Luh-hu-huv. The actual title is "All These Things That I've Done" by The Killers but I always call it the I'm not a soldier song. It's such an amazing anthem of a song, and the lyrics hit me to the core. And I'm not even really the biggest Killers fan, but this song just gets me going, it pumps me up and gives me heart. What do you think about the song? Are you a Killers fan? Do you have an anthem?

I hope all you souls have an inspiring weekend.

I want to go to there too.

I know I've mentioned Jetsetter once before on the blog, as I will many more times because they feature such gorgeous destinations. Check out this gem of a place in Jackson Hole, Wyoming called Snake River Lodge. The views look gorgeous, and as much as I would love to go and test out my timid ski skills, I would just as quickly take a nature trip there one summer and bask in the sun near that stunning lake. Have you been to Jackson Hole? Or Wyoming for that matter? The Snake River Lodge is only 2 hours from Yosemite National Park, what a great outdoor adventure that trip would be!

(photo from Snake River Lodge via Jetsetter).

P.S. Be wary of travel in July and August as the rates seem to go through the roof at peak tourist time.

If I lived in New York...

I would eat here. Check out the awesome food photos and ambiance of Parm, the delicious feature over at Hither and Thither. This is one of those kind of places I would love to mark in my memory if ever in New York, and make a point to stop there. Because even though it's not a friend's recommendation, I feel like I trust this sweet, local momma's NYC opinion. Certainly more than yelp.

I would definitely order the zeppole for dessert! Where would you go, if you lived in New York?