Billie Jean

Bee-ing Adventurous: French Quarter

Hello Honeybees,

This weekend I traveled to the French Quarter in New Orleans to celebrate my 25th birthday. The weekend was suppose to be baby-free, but at the last minute my mom couldn't babysit anymore so Tory had to come along with Joey & I. Let me say that Bourbon Street is no place for a baby and Tory probably won't be visiting again any time soon. Even with a baby , the weekend was still pretty eventful. I got plenty of beautiful pictures, so I am pleased. I am just thankful & happy that I was able to get out for my birthday. The Jackson Square is probably my favorite part of the French Quarter. The beautiful architecture, Cathedrals, & the artists that hang up their artwork along the iron gate. 

The first picture is taken from the inside of my hotel room. I love big, neon, letters. That picture, espeically in B&W, makes for an interesting view. The red & pink buildings are to die for. Wouldn't it be cute to live in one of those? And the green shutters really pop. I kind of have this obsession with "hoop" chairs right now! I hope to be getting one soon. The chandelier is from my hotel and lets just say that the "Naughty in Nawlins" convention that was going on was MORE than naughty. Never seen so many older folks dressed half-naked, walking around the streets of New Orleans. I'm happy that Tory is only almost 9 months old, or else I probably would have been mad. I have to say though, it was pretty entertaining. Ah, thanks Bourbon Street. Until next time.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Holly Golightly: I don't want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together. I'm not sure where that is but I know what it is like. It's like Tiffany's.

Paul Varjak: Tiffany's? You mean the jewelry store.

Holly Golightly: That's right. I'm just CRAZY about Tiffany's!

Well that just about sums it up. There is a reason why every woman loves this movie. And it's not just because Audrey Hepburn is mesmerizing. Can't everyone relate to a girl who is "nameless" just like her "cat," and a girl who is just trying to find somewhere that she fits in? I know I relate to Holly & every time I watch this movie I get butterflies. I was inspired to write this post because I recently got this in the mail, from this Etsy shop, Scotatto:

Isn't it cute? It is exactly like the one that Holly wears in the movie:

Now, if only I could convince the husband to buy me a sofa like hers too. Ya know, the claw foot tub that is cut in half to be made into a love-seat? Probably the cutest couch I've ever seen & there is an Etsy shop that makes them, Reduxx:

Have I inspired anyone to pop in the movie?? I hope so. Now I am listening to Moon River! One of my favorite oldies (and it is on one of my favorite SATC episodes). Until next time. 

Photo sources: one // two // three // four // five //six

Decorating the Beehive: Tidbits

Hello Honeybees,

Now that I am living in my first, official home (outside of living in my fair share of college apartments & my parent's house), I have been going crazy decorating it with just about any cool, vintage piece of furniture or decorative piece I can get my hands on. I shop a lot on Etsy, which is where most of my tidbit pictures are from. I wanted to share some up close & personal photos of "things" in my home that I have been collecting over the past months. If you're a fan of antiques, then I think we would get along great, or at least you'd enjoy this post!

I wanted to take the time to put up links to some Etsy shops that I frequently visit, and where a lot of these tidbits are from: Salvaged Space, Sunny Day Vintage, Davey's Vintage, Norcal Treasures & Eighty Six 56.

A few other places where my tidbits are from: Anthropologie , Discoveries Furniture, Revival Furniture & Highland Road Antiques. Filling up my home with beautiful, vintage finds from all over is what makes me really happy these days. All of these picks are very special to me. They are all a piece of history and from a time that is long gone. I can't help but wish that I lived back then, or at least I wish that we still dressed like they did back in the day (preferably from the 40s). I also have a lot of pieces that used to be both my grandparents & my great grandparents (the sewing machine) and those are the pieces that are most special to my heart. Every time I look at them, I get extremely sentimental. Until next time. 

Mama Bee: Samantha

Hello Honeybees,

Another one of my lovely friends (actually long time friend, known her my whole life) is expecting a baby boy, Carrson, very soon! Her name is Samantha Crosby Krantz and she was so nice to take the time to answer my expectant mother's Q&A! As more of my friends and people around me are getting pregnant with their first child, I would like for this to help those who don't know what to expect, just like me when I was pregnant with Tory. You have so many questions and wonder if other expectant mothers are feeling and have the same questions as you do. Here it goes:

Q: One misconception about pregnancy?

A: A misconception that I had about pregnancy was that I would enjoy it the whole time. I have seriously worried the entire pregnancy about the baby's health. It has consumed me and made me realize that I am now, officially a mom. Lol.

Q: One thing you've learned so far about babies that you didn't know before?

A: They are expensive :)

Q: What do you love about being pregnant? And what do you hate?

A: I love feeling my sweet baby move around. I hate gaining weight :(

Q: How many pregnancy tests did you take?

A: Three

Q: One thing you can't wait to do with your baby after they are born?

A: Kiss his cheeks!

Q: A baby item that you are excited about using?

A: Blankets and pacifiers

Q: What was the first baby item you bought?

A: Pillow for his room

Q: One thing you are going to give up or miss from your childless days?

A: Sleep

Q: Favorite late night snack or craving?

A: Lucky Charms

Q: If your partner could do one thing for you while pregnant, what would it be?

A: Refill my water cup. Lol

Thank you, Samantha!! Can't wait to come to your shower and meet your precious gift from God! You're going to be a great mother! When we were little and played together, you were always the best mother to your cute, little dolls! I, of course, hated dolls because I was such a tomboy! But I love that now, we are both getting more mature and being welcomed into motherhood. Having a baby truly is a blessing! 

25 Before 25

Hello Honeybees,

And in exactly a month...I will be turning the big "2-5." Yes, I will be 25 years old. And, I'm freaking out about getting old. Some people are reading this and saying, "Oh my gosh...25...girl please I'm way older than that." And then the others are reading this and saying, "Oh wow, she's that old? Jeez she's ancient." Well, all I've got to say is that I still get carded for lotto tickets & beer. And, NO ONE (the strangers) believes that Tory is my baby, especially when I'm out with my mom. Sorry mom. I'm not saying that my mom looks old because a lot of people, NO JOKE, think that she is my sister. But when we are out together with little Miss Taylor, if a stranger had to pick who was the mother...they always pick my mom. So I might be having a mid life crisis at 24 about turning 25, but realistically, it's not that old and I have accomplished A LOT so far in my short life. I have a lot of things to be thankful for and to be proud of. But the main reason why I am talking about my age is that I have a little "thing" I'm doing which is called:

 //25 Before 25//

1//: Take a good self portrait

2//: Go to Bourbon Street/New Orleans to celebrate for my birthday

3//: Not get pregnant (Ha! This one should be easy, I think?)

4//: Start a routine for losing my baby weight

5//: Bake & decorate a cake

6//: Make a piece of jewelry (Actually, have a lot of jewelry made for my business I'm starting)

7//: Find a good antique shop in Baton Rouge

8//: Find a non-denominational church for Joey and I to go to

9//: Cook a successful meal for dinner instead of a mess (all by myself)

10//: Get a food processor

11//: Visit the Mississippi River

12//: Invent my own cocktail

13//: Gain more followers on my blog

14//: Paint Tory's room

15//: Finish unpacking the rest of the boxes in the garage

16//: Organize my closet (Until it gets messy again)

17//: Clean out my closet and donate clothes to Goodwill

18//: Get my family pictures framed and hung

19//: Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world (stolen from the movie, The Bucket List)

20//: Find a tattoo removal company and book a consultation (I need to remove two tattoos)

21//: Finish Tory's room! Ugh she's only almost 8 months old!

22//: Learn how to tie a bow tie

23//: Take a family portrait

24//: Start setting up for an Etsy shop

25//: Get my husband to rub my feet!

Well, I've got a few things on my list already done! I've got a month to complete this list! Will I do it? I hope so!! This will be a fun post to write when it's completed! Until next time!

*Picture above is from my Instagram account. Follow me: @crystal_billiejean (I bought the phone on Etsy)