Farewell

To 2013 and a peek of chic...

As I alluded to here, I have decided to step away from fashion blogging and concentrate on getting ready for our little girl. If you would like to follow my personal blog about all things baby (which will no doubt include fashionable baby wear!), please send me an email at apeekofchic [at] gmail [dot] com. Thank you to all my loyal readers over the past few years! I've truly enjoyed having my space here on the internet...and who knows, maybe one day I will be back. Cheers!

And Baby Makes 3

If you follow me on instagram, you saw my announcement over the weekend:

We are beyond excited and are counting the days til we meet he or she next March!! I've always had a pet peeve of fashion bloggers turned mommy bloggers, so rest assured that will not be happening here. I do have another blog, where I will document my pregnancy, maneuvering through the world of maternity fashion and all things baby. If you'd like to follow along, please send me an email and I will add you, as it is private.

That being said, a peek of chic will begin to slow down, and in all honesty, may discontinue altogether. I'm taking everything day by day, and appreciate your support during this transition.

Weekend Bucket List

Tomorrow we're heading up to NYC bright and early, for a long weekend with friends. It will be a nice getaway, especially to get our minds off the government shutdown, which is affecting both hubby and I. As most of you know, NYC is my favorite city, so I've got a jam packed itinerary for the weekend...here are a few things we'll be doing. Follow my adventures on Instagram here.

While my typical weekends in the city consist of shopping and checking out restos/bars, this trip I've added some more touristy stuff. We got so used to walking up towers in Italy to view the city from above, that I wanted to hit Top of the Rock.

View from Top of the Rock

We're also planning to grab lunch at Chelsea Market and eat up on the High Line. While we're up there, we will be celebrating the 30th birthday of our friend, so I figured there is no better way than to get drinks at Boom Boom Room. It is by far the chicest bar I've been to in my life! Floor to ceiling views of the Hudson river on one side, and city on the other. Absolutely breathtaking!!! The people watching is insane - I swear I haven't seen that much Chanel, except in their store.

Boom Boom Room

My bucket list has always included walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, so weather permitting, we'll be taking the ferry over to Brooklyn, taking in the gorgeous skyline from the park, and walking back to Manhattan via the bridge.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Since I'm such a foodie, here's the rundown of where we'll be eating while we're in the city. Some will be new for me, and some are faves that I can't imagine not visiting while there! I wish there were more time to fit in meals, because there are so many places I would love to go. Is it too soon to plan my next trip?!

Meatball Shop - checkout those ice cream sammys for dessert

Balthazar - amazing brunch and awesome atmosphere
Dominique Ansel Bakery - cronuts - gotta see what all the hype is about!

Gran Electrica - right under the Brooklyn Bridge

Stanton Social - great for both brunch and dinner, hint: go upstairs for drinks

Sarabeth's - Serena and Blair used to go here all the time

Life According to Instagram

(clockwise from top left)

 

1. A very cold morning in DC called for my new jacket from Italy and Burberry scarf

2. Ricotta + heirloom tomatoes from 2 Amy's

3. Shopping in Georgetown [view from Cusp]

4. This season our suite at FedEx Field has our company jersey in it

5. The best Fall nights include backyard smores over the firepit 

6. The most amazing milky way milkshake from Good Stuff Eatery

Mr + Mrs

Our wedding photos are finally in, and I couldn't be more pleased!! Sun Gold Photography did an amazing job - I can't say enough great things about them!

 

Honeymoon: Rome

Rome was full of history and beautiful architecture. Our last stop was complete with sightseeing; the Pope even spoke in St. Peter's Square while we were there (unfortunately we didn't find out about this until we got back to our hotel and saw the live feed!). While in the city, we met up with some friends who were in town and hung out at an American bar, full of all the college students studying and traveling there.
We made a lifetime of memories in the two weeks we were in Italy and I couldn't have imagined a better honeymoon! If you haven't been, I highly, highly recommend!!

Arch of Titus

Quattro Fontane

Trevi Fountain

Vatican

Vatican stairwell

Honeymoon: Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre was hands down the most picturesque place I've ever been to! From the quaint little towns to the panoramic ocean views, I seriously needed to pinch myself to make sure it was real. Unfortunately, only 2 of the 4 trails were open to hike through (due to weather damage), but we were so enamored by just those two, we've already discussed a trip back! The pictures truly do not do this amazing region justice, but here is how we captured the charming towns.

Ocean scape

Outside a resort, on the hike

Lemonade/limoncello stand

Manarola

At the train station - don't you wish all train stations were this beautiful?!

Verazzano

Honeymoon: Montecarlo/Pisa

One of the most adventurous parts of our honeymoon was renting a car and driving from Florence to Montecarlo. Let's put it this way, next time, I'll hire a driver! However, once I got over the fear of my hubby driving like a maniac on autostrade, it was a beautiful ride through the Tuscan countryside.

Our beautiful farmhouse, Borga la Torre

Montecarlo

Tenuta del Buonamico

Barrels of wine

Lunch spread, after our wine and olive oil tasting

Obligatory photo of the Leaning Tower

Honeymoon: Florence

Our first day in Florence it didn't just rain, it poured. As miserable as it was, we were still able to view some of the most amazing architecture I've ever seen, and it also forced me to purchase the Burberry rain boots I had been wanting forever. Luckily it cleared up by the evening and we were able to have drinks on the rooftop at Hotel Continentale and enjoy the amazing view of the city.

Church

Duomo

Bell Tower

Amazing street artist!

Wine shop floor

Honeymoon: Venice

Venice was my favorite city (followed closely by Cinque Terre); I absolutely loved getting lost in all the little streets! Note: San Marco square floods, and when you hear sirens going off throughout the town, that's what it means. We were having too much fun and didn't bother to ask anyone what they meant, so we ended up taking off our shoes and walking through the flooded square...hey, this is what memories are made of right?

View from our balcony

Grand Canal, during our gondola ride

Andy Warhol at the Guggenheim museum

Venetian glass factory

Italian windowsills

Blog Break: Going to get Hitched!

I'm on my way to Jamaica for our wedding!! Regular posts will resume in June, once we're back from our honeymoon. Follow me on instagram to keep up with my travels and checkout my home for the next 5 days...paradise, I tell you!

Wedding Wednesday: Old, New, Borrowed, Blue

To finish up my Wedding Wednesday segment, here's what I'll have for my something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue!

Something Old - Six Pence

Something New - Wedding Gown (swatch of the material)

Something Borrowed - Ivory and gold clutch from Chris' Aunt

Something Blue - Embroidered hanky with our wedding monogram

Life According to Instagram

(clockwise from top left)

 

1. Brushing up on my Italiano, in preparation for our honeymoon

2. TDF spring sandals at Burberry outlet  3. A perfect gift from my bff - roadie cup for winos!

4. I love coming home to see wedding gifts on our front steps

Get Fit!

As you know, I've got a wedding coming up (23 days!). In light of that, I've been working hard to get in shape for the big day and thought I'd share my regime.

Diet

Breakfast: Kashi bar

Snack: Fruit, usually a banana or berries

Lunch: Ham or turkey sandwich (mustard & thin slice of cheese), veggies and hummus

Snack: Dried fruit or almonds

Dinner: Chicken or Beef with veggies

Dessert: Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich

One night a week I have a cheat meal, which usually consists of pizza. You have to treat yourself or you'll spiral into a binge!

Exercise
Insanity! For the last 2 months I've had my butt kicked by Shaun T - 6 days a week. I'm 1 lb away from my high school weight and have seriously seen my body transform. I highly recommend using this program if you're serious about getting in shape, but it's not for sissies. You will be exhausted  after the warm-up! Now that we are less than a month out and the program is over, I'm adding in runs, weights and yoga.

Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's

I've always wanted to be cremated when I pass...something I continuously tell my family and fiance. To a point where it's uncomfortable for them. Call me controlling, but I just want to ensure that my resting place is part Blacksburg (specifically, the duck pond), part Front Royal (a special country home I grew up visiting). However, now I may have a third location to scatter them at...

Life According to Instagram

(clockwise from top left)

 

1. A ridiculous selection of bon bons at Range (a must-go for Washingtonians!)

2. Breaking in my new TB espadrille flats  3. Prada Marfa sign in our upstairs hallway

4. My all-time favorite ice cream flavor is now a [limited edition] chapstick flavor!!

Wedding Wednesday: Bridal Shower

Once again my bridesmaids outdid themselves for my shower! The theme was "Classy and Chic" with a heavy fashion influence - it couldn't have been more "me"!!

5th Avenue Shopping Cookies

Kleinfeld Cake

Cartier Cake Balls

Stella McCartney Sausage Balls & Marchesa Mac n' Cheese Cups

Drink bar: Chanel Champagne, Prada Punch and Vera Wang Wedding Water

Favors: OPI nail polish in our wedding colors

Black Halo - Jackie O Dress