Our kitchen remodel

Last week, as I mentioned, Pablo and I came home to a plumbing emergency. It appears that one too many baby wipes and reams of dental floss had been flushed down the toilet, and so our bathroom had to be gutted straight through to the kitchen below, in order to repair the leak.

Behold our new kitchen ceiling:



Since Barry, our insurance agent, quickly informed us that they won't be covering "any aesthetic fixes" until we've met our "$1,000 deductible" {suck a dirty pipe, Barry}, I've decided to approach the situation with a fresh outlook. Here are just a few ideas of how we can best utilize our new industrial-grade ceiling:

1. Place a high table directly beneath the hole and hang pots and pans from the exposed pipes. Voila! The center island I’ve always wanted!

2. Storage solution. Our pantry is getting a bit cramped—why not toss a couple bags of potato chips and a box of Pampers up into the otherwise empty space? Strategic and easy to access!

3. Cut a five-inch hole straight through to the bathroom floorboards and use it to pass toilet paper up from the kitchen in a pinch.

4. Spray paint the whole ceiling silver and hang a few energy efficient light bulbs from the largest pipes via wire. I noticed a similar design at Michael’s Genuine in Miami last week, and damned if I can’t DIY that s#it up!

5. Transform into a seasonal display, complete with scary bats and spider webs, paper pilgrims and turkeys, and scented garland and mistletoe!

Whew! That’s all I’ve got, but please feel free to weigh in with any additional suggestions. I’m in a glass-half-full kind of mood today, and what better time than the present to put my HGTV-honed decorating skills to good use?

On location in Miami, part 3

Pregnant women and senior citizens share something in common—we're fans of the early bird special. As such, it's never a problem to get dinner reservations at the hottest restaurants in town, since the 5:45pm time slot typically isn't coveted.

Paulie and I took advantage of my predictably voracious appetite last week to score tables at some of Miami’s most delicious restaurants {thanks to your amazing suggestions!}. From down-home Cuban to upscale comfort, we ate our way through southern Florida and back, deciding unanimously that Michael's Genuine Food & Drink was our fave—both for its desserts {which I coveted here} and ambience {open kitchen, flattering lighting, and the kind of artwork I’d have if we lived in a loft in SoHo.}





I only brought my zoom lens to the restaurant, so some of the shots are a bit tight. So were my pants, after polishing off linguini with porcini mushrooms.

Honorable mention goes to every meal we ate at Bistro E, the Viceroy’s main restaurant, headed up by chef Michael Psilakis. I loved the mango apricot smoothie, homemade potato chips, and scrambled eggs with sourdough toast.

Fresh-faced and ready for brunch.

And last but not least? The soft, gooey, hot-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies we were served aboard our flight to and from Miami. I’m sure I’ve had cookies that were just as mouth-watering in the past, but eating sugary treats while reclining in a first-class leather seat as your husband turns his own seat into a ride at Disney World, takes mile-high dining to a whole new level.

Coming in for a landing at Laguardia.

Thanks for following along with my recaps of Miami 2010. Meantime, I’ve cooked up a few posts for the coming days on Fall Fashion Week, our kitchen remodeling, and perhaps even an unveiling of my new baby bump. Catch you later, lovey-loos!

On location in Miami, part 2

While in Miami, Paulie and I stayed at the Viceroy, a hotel known for its Kelly Wearstler-designed interiors and a two-acre-long infinity pool. And though the décor wasn't exactly my personal style {lots of emerald green, mint paired with lemon, and a strong Asian-slash-80s-revival influence}, I definitely appreciated it and felt it was the perfect choice for the hotel's downtown elegant vibe.

On the second to last day, we wandered into the Viceroy's spa and private party space and were blown away. The rooms were infinitely more modern and lush, complete with white parchment-covered books, jewel-toned furnishings, and a gigantic honey-colored chandelier.


The spa's balcony overlooks two small pools and the most magnificent chandelier I've ever seen.







The adjacent party room can be rented for private affairs. Black and white with pops of Cadmium Orange and teal blue.



I wanted to take this ornate silver chair with rusted orange pillow home with me. The arms looked like wings!


Next to the party room was a private theater, which guests can book for watching movies or events. As inviting as it was, I shot down Paul's request to watch ESPN on the big screen.


+ a final shot of the infinity pool, located one floor up from the spa. Doesn't the building look like a sinking ship?!

Our last Miami post recaps the delicious food we ate... stay tuned!

On location in Miami, part 1

It's hard to believe that just last week we were lying poolside in Miami. The days following a vacation can be so jolting, yet I've been surprisingly relaxed, thanks to how we spent our time away.

Our typical routine was Eat-Swim-Sleep-Repeat and we usually climbed into bed at around 9pm—a huge change from vacations past, and a welcome one. Every day it rained for about an hour or so, but we took advantage of that time for afternoon naps and leisurely lunches. And though I came back only a shade darker than my usual color {thanks to regular applications of SPF 45, aka Benjamin Moore Whitest White}, I felt infinitely more rested and prepared for the chaos that welcomed us at home.

Here are just a few photos of our time in Miami, snapped at the Viceroy hotel and surrounding neighborhoods.


Viceroy Miami's gorgeous 15th-floor deck.



Lying poolside, it felt as if the hotel might swallow us up whole.


Our camera kept fogging up when we went outside—it felt like we were in a rain forest!


I instantly thought of Moons over Mi Hammy, the Denny's special. Thankfully, our cuisine was much more worldly!


Snapped on Sunday night near the Miami Heat's American Airlines Arena... I wondered who was still inside working.

Coming up: images of the Viceroy's gorgeous interiors, and some of our favorite foods from the trip!

My Five Things by Kaira

I'm so happy it's Friday! This week has been all over the place—Miami, a bathroom/kitchen disaster, and my second week of a new project—so I'm excited to relax and sleep in. Also, I think I'll make blueberry pancakes tomorrow. Baby #2 has been craving blueberry pancakes!

And how about you? Anything planned for the second to last weekend of summer?

+ Speaking of plans, here's a bit of a long-term plan... a five things list from Kaira. Kaira wants to...

1. Visit a new city once a year.

2. Have a major role in a movie or TV show.

3. Go skydiving.

4. Get married and have a baby—the married part: near future; the baby part: maybe in another five years!

5. Continue to have the strength, faith, and courage to be original and follow my dreams.

♥
Thanks, Kaira! And have a great weekend, everyone. I promise a Miami recap next week!

Image via 7twenty7

When it rains, it pours.

I'm back from Miami and oh, my was it wonderful! A relaxing retreat marked by sleep, food, and sun. But before I dive into a recap, I simply must fill you in on some goings-on at home.

While we were away, the sky opened up in New York and rained for nearly four days straight... a welcome, cooling downpour that replenished our grass and gave new life to our tomato plants.

It also rained inside our home, as the upstairs bathroom exploded into a heaping pile of toilet water, the contents of which came gushing through our kitchen ceiling and onto our counters and floors. Unfortunately, this toilet water was not of the eau de parfum variety but rather the baby wipes-and-dental floss variety {thank you, husband}. Whoever coined the phrase "you could eat off the kitchen floors" clearly has never experienced the depths of a malfunctioning loo.


Thankfully our parents were at our house when the clogged pipe burst and immediately sprang into action. Within hours a plumber, carpenter, and electrician had assessed and repaired nearly all of the damage. In fact, Paulie and I wouldn't have even known of our plumbing disaster before returning home, had it not been for the voicemail we received as we were heading out the door on our last night in Miami. It went something like this:

"Hi, Paul? It's Barry from TSC? Your insurance agent? I spoke to your mother-in-law and just wanted to clarify that we will not be covering the cost of the broken pipe in your upstairs bathroom..."

Wow, I really didn't expect that at all!

"...but we will reimburse you for any necessary repairs to your kitchen ceiling, floors, and light fixtures..."

¿Cómo se llama?

"...provided you meet your $1,000 deductible..."

Nooo... Kelly Clarkson!

"Any questions, just give us a ring!"


Barry, big ups to you for the well-timed message. If you could kindly shoot me your mailing address, I have a heaping wad of used ass wipes and dental floss I'd like to send your way. Purely for insurance purposes, of course.

Back soon with a vacation recap, kittens!

Love,
Bee

PS: For those of you who are scratching your head at the Kelly Clarkson reference, behold the waxing scene from 40-Year-Old Virgin. Jump to 0:40.

Pretty toilet images from Daydream Lily and Tightknitsweats via We Heart It.

We're going streaking!

Good morning!

As our vacation in Miami winds down, I'm not entirely sure what today will hold. Perhaps I'll tan or take a dip in the pool. Perchance I'll read or take a sip of my virgin piña colada. Heck, I might even throw caution to the wind and show Miami Beach what it means to jiggle it just a little bit go topless during my second trimester {hellooo, cantaloup-ay!}.

While our agenda remains uncertain, I can assure you that it won't be anything like this bachelorette, or this night of debauchery, or this Bridget Jones-esque cry for mercy. No, no... Our Miami vacay will be relaxing and warm and full of delicious fare, and I shall tell you all about it in just a few days time.

Till then, here's one of Paulie and I on location in Italy. Saying you're on location, as opposed to vacation, is mysterious and therefore loads more fun. Ciao!

On top of the world.

In preparation for our vacation in Miami, I did my due diligence scouting restaurants, purchasing a pretty maternity dress or two, and creating a categorized packing list for my suitcase. It was during this OCD-esque process that I made a very fortuitous discovery: Pablo and I are eligible to relax in the American Airlines Playas Lounge Admirals Club before boarding our flight in New York! Upon further investigation, I learned that Club amenities include:

• Complimentary light snacks, such as bagels with cream cheese or butter, miniature muffins, and crudite
• Flat-screen TV
• Showers

Based on this assessment and my husband's previous track record in the presence of a complimentary food station, I've outlined a schedule of sorts for Paulie, in order to make his Admirals Club experience as enjoyable as possible:

• 5:29am Arrive at Admirals Club approximately five hours prior to departure—just because you can.
• 5:31am Build a heaping dish of buttered and cream cheese bagels and miniature muffins. Sit as close to the flat-screen TV as possible without climbing inside of it. Turn on Sports Center.
• 7:01am Shower, even though you've showered just hours before.
• 7:37am Pass out from the combination of relaxing steam shower and five pounds of buttered/cheese carbohydrates sitting in your stomach.
• 9:07am Wake up startled, relieve yourself in the Admirals Club restroom, and pour a cup of coffee. Watch Sports Center on repeat for the 17th time that morning.
• 9:49am Ready yourself to be called for boarding. Since flying first class is clearly a rarity in your life, it's imperative that you head to the front of the line precisely when the words "First-class ticket-holders may now board" are bellowed through the loudspeaker, so as to flaunt your first-classiness to all fellow passengers. Even a two-minute delay could give the impression that you're not, in fact, a first-class flier, but rather an overzealous coach passenger waiting to be summoned with the rest of the herd.
• 9:51am Ask the Lounge attendant if she has a doggy bag for the complimentary breakfast station. When she does not, ask if she might have some Lox. The bagels could use a little pizazz.
  
• 9:54am Duck into the men's locker room and produce a plastic bag for soiled clothing. Your clothes are not soiled {save for a butter stain from the 5:31am feeding}, however you can use the soiled clothing bag to house three additional bagels and five mini muffins. It could be as long as 45 minutes before breakfast is served in-flight, and no first class passenger should have to wait that long to receive sustenance.
• 10:04am Board flight to Miami, settle into oversize leather chair, commence reclining and returning and reclining and returning your seat to its upright position a total of 49 times, all the while staring at wife with a shit-eating grin—just because you can.

And with that, I can't think of anything more appropriate to share than this, the theme song to Great American Hero. Check you later, kiddos. -Bee

Working it out

The past few days have been an adjustment for me and my family. I miss waking up when Devon does and flying by the seat of her schedule. But, with every challenge comes some good, and I’m in love with the brand new ritual that has developed since Tuesday.

Every day when I get off the train, Devon, Paulie, and the dogs are there waiting for me at the bottom of the platform. The first time I saw them, I had to physically restrain myself from leaping down the stairs, lest I come away with yet another broken foot during pregnancy. Devon was leaning forward in her stroller, holding onto the juice tray and looking around at the crowd. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, the dogs lunged forward, tails wagging, smiling and panting to get at me, and Devon looked up to see what was going on. I didn’t quite get the toothy grin I’d been hoping for—baby girl is fickle like that; she makes you work for it—but an hour or so later, as I was feeding her dinner, she stopped mid-meal to give me a giant smile and a 15-second hand wave. It was my favorite greeting yet and a reminder that even though our day-to-day may change, I still get to come home to Little Miss at night.

PS: Thank you all for your sweet comments and emails since my news on Tuesday. With so many changes going on, it's been comforting to read through each message, and I've been saving tons of them in my baby file!

Some news

There's something I've been carrying around for quite some time and I simply cannot keep it a secret any longer. Two things, really.

Number one is that I will be starting a short-term freelance job today in the city. I am positively freaked out at the prospect of returning to an office, but the project is great and I know it is the right choice for my family.

Number two? I'm pregnant! Yes, you read that correctly and, no, it's not Groundhog's Day. Though it was only a short time ago that I announced my pregnancy with Devon, Paulie and I are once again expecting and will be welcoming baby #2 this coming February. It took us a little while to wrap our heads around the exciting news, and I was extremely nauseous and exhausted for a good two months, but I'm finally starting to feel like myself again.

What blows my mind most is that, in just six and a half months, Devon will go from being an only child to a big sister. With her outgoing personality and energy, I think she'll love it! I also think that it won't be long before Paulie and I start saying things like, "Kids, come downstairs... we're late!" and "Have the kids brushed their teeth today?" and "Why are the kids eating dog biscuits underneath the sink?"

Things like that.

I'll do my best to post regularly this week, but with my new project starting today, it might be tough. So, for now, let's just agree that we'll catch up real soon, k? There is SO much more to share with you and I'm so happy to have finally let you in on our big news!

Kisses and hugs, my little lovebugs,
Bee