Get lost in the Wizarding World with these hand-drawn + painted illustrations.
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Had a little fun with our masks. What a crazy year it has been - whew!
Baby | Our Lake Country Orchard Photoshoot (34 weeks) with Danae Marie Photography
Danae took our fabulous pregnancy announcement photos back in June so things had changed a lot since then and we needed another photo session. Obviously I had a much more noticeable bump now! :)
And we are so in love with them! Once again Danae captured this precious milestone / life event for us beautifully.
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Baby | Our Favorite Baby Products: 0-3 Months
Now that we have first-hand experience I wanted to share what items we found most useful with a newborn through 3 months - our most used items, products that made our life easier, and our little one's favorite things.
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Baby | Your Baby Is Not Growing (Our Early IUGR Diagnosis)
Our baby was diagnosed at 26 weeks with Asymmetric Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR). Such an early diagnosis and with measurements in the 2nd percentile labeled our pregnancy “critical and high risk".” Definitely not what you expect with a first pregnancy, especially one during a global pandemic. Although every case is different, hopefully our story will help other with similar diagnosis. The key point—You are not alone! The diagnosis is one that encompasses a wide-range of causes and outcomes. Please reach out if you have specific questions. I am not a doctor, but I can share what I know from our experience.
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Baby | My Favorite Postpartum Products
Postpartum is an exciting time for new mothers. You get to meet, take care of, watch and learn who your little one is. But it’s also a time of huge adjustments and healing for you as a new mom (or second time or more time mom. For me I got so wrapped up in planning for baby and the ups-and-downs of our pregnancy that I was unprepared for postpartum. There were so many things I was not expecting. Now I know. Hopefully my ignorance will help others prepare for this crazy time. I’ve rounded up some products that truly helped me pull through those first six weeks.
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Baby | Pregnancy Faves: My Must-Have Items
Chances are if you're checking out this page you're pregnant. First off, congratulations! The 9 month journey is such an exciting time. I mean it's life changing. Seriously nothing will ever be the same again (but in the best possible way). Being pregnant is cool and weird and fun and uncomfortable. All the emotions wrapped up in one thing. I've rounded up some items that really made a difference during my pregnancy in the hopes they can help you out too.
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Baby | 15 Things I Learned From My C-Section
As someone who enjoyed reading all the books to feel “prepared” and since April is C-section Awareness Month I wanted to share my insights after my cesarean section experience for all those future mamas out there. These are just some of my thoughts, things I didn’t expect, and tips that helped.
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#shabraun | My Decision to Double-Barrel My Last Name
For some, taking their spouse’s last name when they get married is something they’ve always wanted and is not even a question. For others, the decision is change your name is tougher. Essentially there were four options—keeping your maiden name, taking your spouse’s surname, moving your maiden name to your middle name, or hyphenating/combing the two.
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Baby | He or She? Old Wives Tales Gender Predictions
Not knowing baby’s gender has been such a fun experience for LeBraun and me. A few weekends ago we got our parents and siblings together—virtually—again to go through some Old Wives Tales Gender Predictions and to share some of favorite baby name possibilities. What do you think Sponge will be? Are you Team Boy or Team Girl?
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The Easiest Gluten-Free, Vegan Apple Cake
Fortunately Autumn still feels like Autumn and our pantry is stocked with apples from orchards all around B.C. and since you can never have too many fruit-based desserts here another SUPER easy one—Apple Cake! Note: For the Americans following along, it would be an excellent addition to your Thanksgiving meal in the few weeks.
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Baby | First Trimester Recap + Q&A
There were so many great questions asked on our stories and I tried to cover most of them, but some needed much longer answers so I compiled them here. Hope it's insightful for those TTC or considering it or give you what you were looking for if you were the one who asked the question.
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Baby | Surprise, We're Pregnant!!!
LeBraun + I are over the moon excited to become parents to this sweet little one! And we had a fantastic time with Danae Marie Photography. She captured our joy perfectly!
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#shabraun | First Anniversary Photoshoot in Lisbon, Portugal
Emanuele helped us capture the end of our first year of marriage. It was a year filled with so much love, adventure, and laughs. Ahh we can't wait to get these all printed and up on our walls.
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#shabraun | First Anniversary Gift of Paper
So the traditional first anniversary gift is the gift of paper…well I knew exactly what to do as my job is literally to make things with paper everyday. :) Now this illustration of our wedding venue hangs on our wall amongst illustrations of more of our other favorite places. It’s so special.
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Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Strawberry Cream Pie
This no-bake treat is super easy—a creamy combo of sweet vanilla pudding, fresh strawberries (or fruit of choice) with the scattered crunch. Essentially all the best textures in a chilled layered dessert. It’s definitely one to bring to a backyard party or family get together. It’s not so much a “pie” as a layered dessert, but that’s what we have been calling it so there you go
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City Collection Illustrations: Paris, France
Hand-drawn and watercolor illustrations help preserve memories of one of the most beauty cities in the world. Give as a gift to your travel buddy or display in your home as a daily reminder of your past or future adventures in Paris. Available at Studioist.co/shop
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Gluten-Free, Vegan Strawberries & Cream Cheese Toast
Now everybody is on the avocado toast train, and admittedly it’s one of my favorites as well, but for a colorful, fresh summer ready alternative it’s time to hop aboard the strawberry toast train! A little sweet, a little tangy followed by the hearty crunch of the toast. Mmm!
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Travel Itinerary | 10 Days in Paris Pt. 2
PART 2 // I could spend 1000 days in Paris and there would still be more to see, but ten days is a reasonable start for a first time visitor, and I’ve pulled together the perfect itinerary filled with iconic sights, historic monuments, glimmering lights, cafe life, bohemians alleyways, and cullllture (make sure to roll your tongue a bit when you say that last one). :)
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Travel Itinerary | 10 Days in Paris Pt. 1
I could spend 1000 days in Paris and there would still be more to see, but ten days is a reasonable start for a first time visitor, and I’ve pulled together the perfect itinerary filled with iconic sights, historic monuments, glimmering lights, cafe life, bohemians alleyways, and cullllture (make sure to roll your tongue a bit when you say that last one). :)
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Travel Guide - Paris, France
Paris offers endless opportunities and each person’s experience will be different, but there are definitely some places that are MUSTS, especially for first time visitors. By all means let the city move you first and if you have the chance we’ve compiled some great additions to your Parisian adventure, avec plaisir!
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