Chase is officially ONE YEAR OLD today!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the little man who brings me more joy than I ever thought possible! I’ll spare you the whole “I can’t believe Chase is one year old” rhetoric that I seem to be saying on repeat right now, but I am feeling a melting pot of emotions this morning as I think about the past year of my life. Let’s just say I’m a mix of teary, joyful and excited. Happy Birthday, Chase! We love you more than you could ever possibly know.
We have Chase’s first birthday party on Saturday and I feel fortunate to have family coming in town today to celebrate his special day with us. (My mom actually arrived earlier this week and Chase knew her immediately which absolutely warmed my heart! It has been three weeks since her last visit – a short time considering my parents live in Florida – but it was wonderful to see Chase know and feel comfortable around his grandma right away!) Celebrating Chase’s first birthday is, without a doubt, what I am loving most this week, but I want to keep things consistent around here and share my usual Things I’m Loving Friday blog post with you guys where we all chat about what we’re loving most each week. Feel free to join in the fun in the comments section of this post!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Arranging First Birthday Party Flowers
We’re keeping party decorations for Chase’s first birthday party tomorrow fairly simple and sticking to a mix of yellow, mint green and white décor. Since the party theme is “You Are My Sunshine,” I wanted bright, summery flowers that would make everyone smile for his special day and opted for several bouquets of sunflowers from Whole Foods paired with bunches of baby’s breath. My mom and I picked them up yesterday and I arranged them when I got home using a bunch of random vases and glass jars we already had on hand. Having so many flowers around our house right now is definitely making me feel extra happy!
- Balayage
(Pic from my stylist’s Instagram)
I owe you guys a big thank you for introducing me to balayage. When I first expressed interest in lightening my naturally blonde hair up a bit, I told you all how I was SO nervous to color it because I was terrified that I would never be able to get my natural color back if I didn’t like it. I’ve heard how hard it can be to get back to your natural color as a blonde if you dye your hair, so I was always very apprehensive.
When you guys chimed in to tell me about balayage, my interested was immediately piqued since it sounded incredibly natural-looking and very low maintenance. The last thing I wanted as a new mom was to dye my hair and have to show up at a salon every few weeks to get it colored again. Balayage sounded perfect since it basically leaves your roots untouched and color is painted on the hair in a way that looks brighter and natural. I headed into the salon on Wednesday for a brighter color and am really happy with the results. I feel like my old self again… back before my hair seemed to get darker and darker with every day that passed.
- Soft Shell Crabs
I grew up loving soft shell crabs (we’re a big seafood family, as I’m sure you already know!), and when I saw the incredibly difficult to find crabs in the seafood case at Whole Foods earlier this month, I immediately chatted with the guy behind the counter about their availability. He assured me they would likely have them through July, so I made a mental note to grab them when my mom arrived in town as a special treat. We fried them up for dinner last night and they were SO good!
- Church Bells by Carrie Underwood
Ever since I started listening to Carrie Underwood’s latest album months ago, this song has been my absolute favorite on the CD. It’s so darn catchy and now that it’s on the radio I find myself worrying that it will be overplayed and my affinity for this song will fade if I hear it over and over again. Let’s hope not because right now I still find myself singing and rockin’ out every time it comes on. Carrie, you did it again!
I tried hard to resist purchasing these sneakers from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale last week but I couldn’t help myself! They were just too darn cute to resist! I’m glad I scooped them up when I did because a bunch of sizes are already sold out and I am loving them already. They’re incredibly comfy and the black, white and gray rose print is feminine and fun. Love them!
If your size is sold out there are still a ton of other cute shoes and sneakers on sale through the anniversary sale, so you can still scoop up something cute and trendy!
Also, for any mamas or expectant mamas out there, two different prints of my all time favorite Ju-Ju-Be diaper bag backpack are $80 off through the anniversary sale! (The navy and white ‘Navigator’ print is adorable.)
- Around the Web
Fitness: Full Body Resistance Band Workout / Four Common Exercise Mistakes / Cable Machine Exercises To Keep Your Body Guessing
Food: Sweet Potato Noodle Stir Fry / Roasted Salmon with Watermelon Salsa / Grilled Plantains with Brown Sugar Butter Glaze / Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Parenting: What Was I Thinking? (<— A must read for any work-from-home/overwhelmed parents!) / How To Raise Kids Who Love To Read
Interesting Reads: Today May Be Brighter / How To Use a Bullet Journal / How To Build a Makeup Collection for Under $100
- Friday Flashbacks
Easy Lemon Vinaigrette (A simple salad dressing made with pantry staples that tastes fantastic on a fresh spinach salad topped with strawberries, crushed almonds and goat cheese.)
Gentle Prenatal Workout (I shared this workout a year ago when I was in the thick of pregnancy discomfort but wanted a gentle workout I could do to move my body.)
Question of the Day
- What is one thing that is making you smile this week?
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Sending the BIGGEST Happy Birthday to your handsome son 🙂 Where does time go?
And the Balayage is gorgeous!
Happy 1st birthday, Chase!!!!! I’ve got one more week until my baby girl is one. Seriously, time…..where does it go?!? Making me smile- trail runs and crafting for our party next Saturday!! Have a wonderful day and I can’t wait to see pictures from the party ?
Happy Birthday Chase! Your hair looks SO great, and those shoes were on my wishlist as well 🙂 So glad you like them!
LOVE your hair! I’m in the same boat and found my natural blonde hair getting darker and darker! I finally got a few highlights yesterday and feel like myself again.
Happy Birthday Chase! I can’t believe he is one. I enjoyed following along with your pregnancy and now with Chase’s updates. My son turns 4 months next Tuesday… time sure does fly!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHASE! Hope you have a wonderful weekend celebrating your sweet boy!
I hate when radios overplay songs! I love that Carrie song too. And happy happy birthday to Chase!!
Chase is ONE!?!?! How did that happen? I hope you have a phenomenal time tomorrow at his birthday party. Big mama hug to you my friend!
Your hair looks so good!!
Happy birthday, Chase. Have lotsa cake!
Happy birthday to your little man! Time flies, I get memories when mine turned 1. Get ready because he will jumping all over the place in a few months 🙂
Ha! I can only imagine!! He’s already keeping me on my toes and he can’t even walk yet!
Happy Birthday Chase! Hope you have a wonderful birthday celebration this weekend!
Happy Birthday Chase!!! 🙂
Happy 1st Birthday Chase!!
Those sneakers are so cute!
Have a great party and time with your family!
I’m loving doing a lot more writing lately!
Oh my, I can only imagine all the emotions you’re experiencing this weekend! My little dude turns 6 months tomorrow…and I can barely keep it together! haha 🙂
Also, I’ve LOVED all your monthly check-ins with Chase–I was inspired to do a bit of the same in my son’s baby book so we will have these memories for years to come (well…right now only one or two of them have made it into the book so far! everything else is on random scraps of paper…). It’s easy to forget about the little things that change so quickly! Thank you 🙂
Have an amazing time this weekend!
Thank you, Stephanie! I love that you did that for your son, too! <3
Happy happy birthday to Chase!! Have a great weekend celebrating. That is so special that he knew your mom right away! My parents live far away as well and my kids have always known their Nana. Do you Facetime with her? We Facetime constantly and I truly think it helps!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LITTLE MAN!
Happy birthday to Chase! And your hair looks FAB! I am excited to read the birthday party recap!
I bought those nikes,too! I got them yesterday and already love them. So cute!
Happy 1st Birthday Chase, time really flies!! This week I am loving Etsy for personalized gifts. I bought a cute themed mug to commemorate my friends engagement and it came in 4 days!
Happy birthday, Chase! What a fast year! Hope your family has a great weekend celebrating. 🙂
Happy birthday to Chase! I love the sunflowers and sunshine theme 🙂
Happy Birthday Buddy! Hope you guys have the best weekend celebrating.
Awe! Happy birthday to Chase, I can’t believe how fast time flies.
One thing that is making me smile? Yesterday, was exactly one month until my due date! So ready to meet our little munchkin!
Aw Happy Birthday Chase! Have so much fun celebrating this weekend! I live in MD so of course crabs are a HUGE thing here, I’ve never tried the soft shell though. Mostly because I don’t know how to properly pick them, but that’s on my summer to do list, learn how to pick a crab,lol.
Happy birthday, Chase! I remember reading your blog when you were documenting your pregnancy. Can’t believe how fast time has flown by!
I’m a big fan of balayage! Your hair looks great!
Happy birthday, Chase! My birthday is tomorrow–so close! Enjoy the party–cant wait to hear about it!
Girl! Your hair is gorgeous!!
And I got those same sneakers during the nsale & I love them!
Happy happy birthday to your cute little man! It just keeps getting better, in my opinion (I have a 1 year old & 2 year old). 🙂
Happy birthday Chase! I hope you guys have a great weekend celebrating hi:) And I’m also OBSESSED with Carrie Underwood. She is flawless haha.
I spent this summer in Knoxville and after never in my life listened to country music, I’ve enjoyed it on the radio here! Church bells was one of my first favorites!
So good!
Happy Birthday to Chase! Enjoy the time with family this weekend. Love the sunflowers <3
I’m obsessed with that Carrie Underwood song, and I love her in general. Have a wonderful weekend celebrating your little boy! Happy birthday to Chase!
Happy birthday Chase! And your hair looks amazing!
I got to see Carrie Underwood in concert on her current tour a few months ago and she was phenomenal!! This new album is so fun to listen to.
Happy birthday Chase! I hope you guys have fun celebrating this weekend. He sure is a cutie.
I love how your hair turned out! So pretty and I love that it’s low maintenance too.
I stumbled across your blog a couple days ago and I love it!!
I am also loving those sunflowers, such a cute a cute idea for a baby’s first birthday.
Happy birthday to your handsome son!!
Happy Birthday Chase! Julie, you have been such an inspiration to me during what is also my first year of motherhood (my son is almost 10 months old). Thanks for sharing everything with us! <3
Happy birthday Chase!!! Omg and soft shell crab is AMAZING! I just had soft shell crab sushi yesterday!
Happy Birthday to Chase!!!! He is so adorable! My baby turns one in a month. Where does the time go? I feel like I was pregnant forever and this year has flown by. Hope his party is awesome!
AHHHHH HBD Chase!!!!
Also, love your hair. I’ve debated going balayage vs ombre for a while now but it looks AMAZING on you! You go girl! Hot mama!
I hope you enjoy your day today and have so much fun celebrating Chase all weekend long!!
Happy birthday Chase!!! Time just fleeeeew on by, wow!
After seeing you post those Nike Juvenates, I just had to have them myself. Not sure if I’m cool enough to pull off a sneaker with a print, but we are about to find out. 🙂
Happy Birthday Chase! I can’t believe it’s been a year already! WHAT! Time flies. I LOVE your hair. It looks so so beautiful. Can’t wait to hear all about Chase’s bday weekend!
I was talking with a personal trainer out here, who originally started Body Conceptions in NYC. We spoke at length about how difficult it is to find a worthwhile prenatal workout that is both tough, but good for the purposes of prenatal. I’m not even pregnant and I’ve noticed the lack of prenatal workout availability! Thanks for adding a great workout into the world. 🙂
Cannot wait to see pictures of Chase’s birthday party on Instagram and Snapchat! Please be sure to share!!
XO, Jessica
http://www.semisweettooth.com
Your snapchats today were too much! He’s so cute!! Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful time celebrating!
My Louisiana heart is missing soft shell crabs something fierce! I’m still searching for the best seafood restaurant here in D.C.!
Julie!!!! I swear it’s been forever since I’ve been to your blog and you popped up and I had to check your life out! HAHAH!
Happy Birthday Chase! What a cutie and you are so blessed!
Keep inspiring, girl!
xxoo
Kris
Thanks for checking back in!! 🙂
Happy birthday to Chase! And a big shout out to his mommy and daddy who have survived the first year of parenting!
Have fun this weekend with family and friends!! I can’t wait to see a recap for the big party.
Happy Birthday to your beautiful Chase! Hope you have a wonderful celebration!
Happy birthday Chase. You little cutie you. Hope you always know how greatly your parents love and care for you along with the rest of your family. You’re so special to them dear one. As you grow may God’s blessing, protection and favor be yours now and always. Be good to your parents sweet one. And maybe a little later you’ll be the best big brother to another beautiful one. Hugs and kisses from south Texas
This was so sweet. Thank you!! <3
Your hair looks great! Would you mind sharing information on the hairdresser you used? I recently moved to Charlotte and have been putting off getting my blond hair highlighted for fear I will end up with a bad coloring job.
Sure! I went to Savvy Salon in Cornelius and Kristyn Pawlak was my stylist. 🙂
Happy birthday to little Chase! And happy one year anniversary of being a mom (even though, obviously, it’s more than one year!) I just love that pic of Chase with his tiny baby arms over his head. So cute! Love the sunflowers for your party, and I’m curious about the soft shell crab! Can you eat that shell? I love seafood too. Have a great weekend, and enjoy the party!