Maternal instinct

Elena Jasic gave me the best gift anyone could give a pregnant woman, the gift of good angles. That being said, I always knew that if I were to get pregnant that I would have to ditch my clothing to head in front of her lens. So I'm going to keep this short and sweet and get to the good part..the photos! Don't forget to check out all of Elena's amazing work at elenajasic.com!

So much thanks again to Elena Jasic!

OLIVIA WEARS faux fur stole from ASOS, Elena's fur coat

See you next time!

<3

Welcoming baby Eva

   If you would have told me last year at this time that I would be preparing for the arrival of my baby girl I would have laughed in your face! Adamant about not having any children of my own, I'm still in quite some shock myself. That being said, I am also so so excited to meet her!
   Upon my arrival back home from Miami in April, I soon found out I was three to four weeks pregnant. In disbelief, I was shocked and above all, terrified to tell my mother! What would she say? Would she be upset, mad, happy? I decided to tell my Mema first to see what she thought and I think it's safe to say she was even more nervous than I was.
   "But you didn't want any children!" she exclaimed. This is true, but it was also a surprise to myself! A few days later I finally got up the courage to tell my mother, through tears, that she was going to be a Grandmother. She gasped, "I AM?!"
   "Yes!!" I told her. She asked me why I was crying and if I was upset about it and I said "No, I was just terrified to tell you!"
   "WHY?!" she said! My mother was always very adamant to my sister and I both "do not get pregnant." "Do. not. get. pregnant." "I'm not raising any grandchildren!" I can hear her saying. So even at the age of 24 and living on my own with a stable and supportive boyfriend I was still as scared as ever to tell her but was relieved when I saw the excitement on her face.
   Now that I had gotten that off my chest I could finally relax. My mom knew and I was still breathing and everything was going to be ok! I'm going to have a baby and it's going to be so loved and I was excited about it! These were just a few of the thoughts running through my mind.
   A few days later we were in the emergency room. Thankful I had told my mother a few days previously or else this would have all came as an even bigger shock and in a terrifying way. I had not yet been seen at my OBGYN and since I was not an "official patient" with them yet they told me I must go to the emergency room for spotting I was having. I knew that spotting could be common in early pregnancy but I was still terrified. After being in the hospital for several hours the doctors confirmed that the embryo was in utero and everything appeared to be fine. They assured me that this can happen early on and doesn't necessarily mean anything bad.
   My mom and I left the hospital relieved and headed off to the polls to get my vote in for Bernie Sanders.  I wasn't going to let an exhausting and scary day get in the way of my vote! We grabbed dinner and my mother dropped me off at my house and reassured me everything was going to be ok.
   A week or so later I was back in the emergency room. This time for shooting pain in my lower abdomen and bleeding. I was convinced that my little baby was gone. David and I left the house around 11 pm and headed to the hospital where we met my mom. I laid in the hospital for three hours, bleeding, only to have a doctor come in to tell me that there was nothing they could do and to follow up at my OBGYN the next day, at my appointment. I left the hospital in tears, positive that I was miscarrying.
   The following afternoon my mother and I headed to the doctors office. I sat in the exam room crying and waiting for the doctor to come in to look at me and tell me that I had lost my baby. After what felt like forever the doctor came in and told me that they were going to do an ultrasound to see if my baby was indeed still there or not. In my head I was hoping and wishing that I was wrong and that my little surprise was still there. They took us to the room to perform the ultrasound and there on the screen we saw my little girl's heartbeat for the first time. She was 5 weeks and 5 days. I was so excited and relieved to see that she was still there and continued crying. Of course, at this point we hadn't yet known it was a girl. My mother comforted me as well as the doctors. After the exam the doctor told me that I was no where near in the clear yet. That the bleed could still take my baby and that I would have to continue to follow up the next week and so on after that.
   The following week my mom and I were back in the office and my little one was still there! Even though I was still bleeding, her heartbeat was strong and the doctors told me that she was growing accordingly. But that again, I was still at risk and could still miscarry because of the amount of blood that they were seeing.
   Back again, the next week. This time when performing the ultrasound the doctor told me that my bleed had gotten bigger instead of smaller. Because of this I was transferred to high risk and the following day was in their office. When they performed their ultrasound, the bleed had gone back down to its previous size that it had been the following week. I was still very upset at this point and still knew that I might not be able to carry my baby. After scheduling a follow up appointment for the following month, my mother and I left the office.
   The next month felt like an eternity and I woke up every morning wondering if that day was going to be the day that I would miscarry. It was a very dark and scary time for me and every time I felt something, "am I miscarrying?" ran through my mind. But as each day passed and nothing went wrong I slowly started to feel better and, even though it was hard, tried to remain positive.
   The month between appointments was finally over and there had been no sign of miscarriage. Mema and I headed up to high risk with our fingers crossed and in hopes that the bleed would no longer be there. After an ultrasound we were told the the bleed had seem to be very small if not completely gone. We were so excited! Mema watched my little one on the screen as she rolled and kicked around. We were amazed at the detail and how much my little baby looked like a baby already. After the nurse relayed all of the news back to the doctor I was then released from high risk. We were all so relieved and excited that it looked like my sweet little baby was going to survive this ordeal after all. She was three months in utero at this point and already so strong willed and determined to be apart of this world.
   Fast forward to almost four months later and we just had our shower for our daughter on October 1, 2016. I decided to share my experience because I know A LOT of women struggle with this issue and misscarriage as well and rarely talk about it. It is ok to talk about and it is ok to ask for help. I know I did and I know it benefited me in doing so. That being said, let's get to the happy and fun part of this blog post, THE SHOWER!
   It was October 1st and the day of my shower had finally arrived! A lot of hard work from my parents and I went into the preparation of this day. I needed everything to be perfect. Typically, I know that the mother-to-be is often surprised with her shower but I couldn't have that. Not with my love of party throwing and planning. I must say that everything turned out beautifully and it wouldn't have been possible without the help, support and love from my parents! So much thanks to them and to everyone that celebrated with us and made our day special!

The table set, ready for its guests to arrive

My perfect parents who did everything I wanted and more to make this day special for me. I love you both more than words can describe!

My grandmother and I//My Aunt Kim and I, who also lent a much needed helping hand to my mother, thank you!!

My cake fit for our little princess with a crown and a sneak peak of the adorable favors my parents worked so hard on!

Sarah and Paige with their little ones, cooperating so well for them for photos as you can see! ;) ;)

Robin, Mema, Angie, Aunt Bonnie, Aunt Carol and Dorinda

<3

the #SQUAD

Maria, Becca, Sarah, Paige, Courtney, Liz, Hayley, Via and Chelsey

thank you thank you to all of you my SWEETHEARTS! You all looked so dear!

Chelsey and I <3

Tabetha, my Mom, Connie, Sarah, Aunt Lori and Taylor

<3

The sweetest Oliver and I 

Take one, Dad said, "I thought you were ready!"//Take two, actually ready

Would you believe this little darlin traveled over 600 miles from Georgia to be apart of my shower? Because I can! Hayley (and Chris) I love you both and appreciate you taking the time to be here for David and I!

Via G my OG <3

My RL #squad on film <3

 

And last but not least, David and I. We had an amazing day with amazing and loved ones and as I've already said we cannot thank you enough for being there for us! All of your gifts were so precious and dear and I cannot wait to see Eva in, on and around everything you got for her! We are so lucky to have such amazing people in our lives and cannot express that enough. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you ALL SO MUCH!!

<3

OLIVIA WEARS FOREVER 21 BODYSUIT, H&M JEANS, MICHAEL KORS WATCH

South Beach, Miami 2016

Where to go? Where to go? For 'Girls Trip' 2016? After contemplating a few locations outside of the country, I settled on Miami for our stateside destination. This girl's trip was much different from the last two. I was without my veterans, Hayley and Deana, instead paired up with my dear Via! Both of us first timers to the Miami experience, we were excited to venture to the most southern melting pot of the country. So, without further ado, South Beach 2016..

After looking at several hotels in South Beach I stumbled upon The Shore Club. This beachfront hotel is located on the posh Collins Avenue and has been around since 1939. Victoria took this photo of me at breakfast the day after our arrival.

I'll always be a sucker for banana leaf wallpaper. We found this inside a local H&M.

We spotted this awesome portrait of Benjamin Franklin our second day in Miami while out in search of a liquor store.

South Beach coastline

Ironically enough, I got to meet David's parents and brother for the first time, without David.

For lunch, we all went to a local Cuban restaurant called Havana 1957. Highly recommended by reviews and articles online, it did not disappoint. Famous for their mojitos and cooked in house Cuban cuisine, Havana 1957 is a must visit while in South Beach!

                                                    

A Cuban coffee

I can't remember what this was called but I do remember our server telling me that it was "the best." Obviously I had to have it. Slow roasted chicken, rice, beans and a special Cuban gravy was everything I've ever wanted.

A group photo of David's parents, brother and son and of course Vicky and I on either side.

Posin'

On Friday night we set out towards Joe's Stone Crab. When researching South Beach and where to eat, Joe's was listed as a must go. "A trip to South Beach without a visit to Joe's is incomplete." Well, I couldn't have our trip being incomplete now could I? Upon our 9 o'clock arrival it was still packed and we were given a wait time of anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes. So, like in any situation where Via and I have to wait, we headed towards the alcohol. The old fashioned pictured here, hands down, was the best one I've ever had..and the night was just getting started!

After waiting no longer than 30 minutes we were informed that our table was ready. Pictured here are the famous Stone Crab legs I kept hearing about. Joe's just so happens to be the largest buyer of their kind. And when I say kind, I mean their legs. These crabs are specifically caught for their claws and then put back into the ocean to, what I hope is, regrow their claws. This is the only edible part of their bodies. Their sizes range anywhere from small to jumbo. Obviously the bigger, the more expensive. I believe these were the "large" claws and were around $55 for the five of them.  Interestingly enough they're also served cold and pre-cracked for your convenience. Overall, Joe's was an awesome experience and I would definitely make my way back to this fine dining establishment!

Via and I after dinner at Joe's.

This martini looks awesome but it actually wasn't. Sad face.

Collins Ave

Moreno's Cuba was another Cuban spot that we visited. It's atmosphere was so unique and quaint. It's signs read "put down your phones!" It was clear that they wanted you to be in the moment and experience the establishment for everything that it offered. Another must visit if you're ever in the area.

Quick snapshot on our way to dinner

<3

Oceanside, our last full day in Miami

The best part about being in Miami is that if you have all the added perks of being in the US but if you didn't know any better you would think you were somewhere in the Caribbean. It really is a huge melting pot of Caribbean influences and just by skipping from one block to the next you could be in a completely different cultural experience than what you were 20 steps ago. The food and beautiful water were definitely enough to keep me content throughout this trip and of course my company. I would say Miami 2016 was a complete success and I've already started brainstorming on girl's trip 2017! See you next time!

OLIVIA WEARS in order of appearance URBAN OUTFITTERS kimono, STONE COLD FOX X BEACH RIOT one piece AND AMERICAN EAGLE pants, TJ MAXX tank top AND AMERICAN EAGLE pants, QUAY sunglasses AND NASTY GAL X MINIMALE ANIMALE bikini, NASTY GAL dress, HANDMADE WOVEN BASKET FROM COSTA RICA, SHE MADE ME crochet bikini

NYE 2015

A little recap of NYE 2015 and the first moments of 2016..

My family

Pappy, Oscar and Mema

A rose between two thorns ;)

Mema <3

Ladies! Where you at!

Sister

All of my heart

My NYE was spent at home with a few of my closest friends and family members. A very quaint and special evening was well welcomed as we rang in 2016. Best wishes and the most of luck to everyone in this new year!

OLIVIA WEARS H&M blazer, NASTY GAL tank and H&M pants