Wednesday, April 27, 2016

3 Dresses, 3 Ways


Yesterday I popped into Banana Republic and saw several dresses that were perfect to dress up, down and wear to work in a casual office setting. I like that Banana offers regular, petite and tall size options. I am 5'2" and don't always have the patience or time to wait to get things hemmed.

I went home with this ruffle dress and plan to wear it to an upcoming shower. I love the colorful print. Typically layered or ruffled skirts don't work for my bum but I was pleasantly surprised how this fit. I'll pair it with a white cardigan for the spring and summer and navy to transition into the fall.



A white eyelet dress is the perfect opportunity to add a pop of color. Everyone needs a LWD. 



Last but not least, I'm a sucker for stripes. Back to the neutral accessories. You just can't go wrong!

What look is your favorite?

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Monday, April 25, 2016

Weekend Snapshot

 Shirt: Old Navy. Tee: Old Navy. Sunglasses: Ray Ban. Lexi's Bow: Etsy.

Carrier: BabyBjorn.

Weekends are low key these days... and I'm not complaining. We took a walk along the beach at Tod's Point in Greenwich and Ted put our BabyBjorn carrier to use. He didn't want to be left out of the babywearing game. I chose the original model because it was simple (and the best price).

Jeans: J Brand (also available here and here). Blouse: Vince.


J Brand Mid Rise Capri Jeans (also available here and here)

I bought these jeans during the Lord & Taylor Friends & Family sale. I love that they are cropped (I'm 5'2" so always on the lookout for ankle/cropped length), distressed and most importantly stretchy. 


This is one of my favorite outfits for Lexi. I didn't buy many clothes in the newborn size so picked up a few more things for her at Carter's the other week. Blush, the color of the season!

Towel: Pottery Barn Kids. Diapers: Honest

My bunny, fresh and clean! I couldn't resist getting the Honest diapers in the chevron print when I was preparing for her arrival. So cute! We've also been using their Organic Healing Balm and give it two thumbs up.

Anything you would like to see on Vineyard Loveknots? Please let me know!
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Friday, April 22, 2016

Five on Friday


1 // Babywearing

I'm loving my Solly Baby wrap! It's one of the first things that I bought when I found out I was pregnant. A friend recently invited me to a babywearing Facebook group, which has given me ideas on different ways to use to the wrap and wear Lexi. There are tons of tutorials out there. If the wrapping is intimidating, I would recommend the Baby K'Tan. Similar look, less work. We also have a Baby Bjorn but haven't used it yet. 

I was showing Lexi our building's rooftop for the first time. I expect we'll spend a lot of time up there during my maternity leave enjoying the fresh air. And yes here I am wearing yoga capris and a tee again...which leads me to the next topic.


2 // Old Navy's Relaxed V-Neck Tee for $7 as seen on OP

When I saw Who What Wear's post yesterday that Olivia Palermo was wearing this Relaxed V-Neck Tee from Old Navy I bought multiple in light gray and white. I rarely leave the apartment but this was important. When you find the perfect tee for $7 you stock up!


3 // Anytime Meal

Toasted English muffin topped with prosciutto, avocado, eggs and Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Salt. Quick and easy for anytime of the day. (Not so easy to eat when you're holding a baby...)




4 // Minted Announcements

Since they have been delivered I can now share our birth announcement. I am proud to say I took the photo of Lexi with the hydrangea. Minted is offering 15% through 4/25. They have some great personal stationery - I love this blue botanical design.


5 // Smells like Summer

I don't want to wish the time away but I am looking forward to the summer and visiting the Cape and Vineyard. For now, I have these beachy candles in cobalt blue glass I found at Home Goods.



Happy Friday!

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Monday, April 18, 2016

Weekend Snapshot


Ted and I took out the stroller (UPPAbaby Cruz with Infant SnugSeat Insert) for the first time by the water.


I purchased several bows from this Etsy shop, cutebows4girls, in the small and medium sizes. They can either be worn on a headband or clip. Lexi is wearing the medium. Go big or go home!


Birth announcements are in the mail... one of my late night projects since I've been up at all hours. I couldn't believe how fast Minted turned around my order. I keep all of my contacts stored on their site, which saves me so much time. I'm ready for Christmas cards, ha!

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Saturday, April 16, 2016

On My Radar


Two things that I bought and four I want...

Anthropologie Semele Shirtdress  (On sale now from $148 to $47.97)
I have been eyeing this dress for awhile and was happy to snag it on sale (extra 40% off this weekend) since I wouldn't have been able to wear until now.

I could probably use this in every color.

I love the tortoise frame and blue lens combo. J. Crew Factory offers this pair for a steal.

Update: Illesteva is on Rue La La today with similar styles!

On my lust list...

Marc Fisher Adalyn Espadrille (On sale now $160 to $97.49 with code FRIENDS - also available here)
Love how tall these make me. I wish that I was able to find them in brown - they are a dupe for a Chloe style. I got the blue pattern on sale at Lord & Taylor and say they run a 1/2 big.

There is a reason this earrings has been popular for years now. 

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Friday, April 15, 2016

Baby's First Week Home Favorites & Essentials



UPPAbaby Mesa
First thing's first... you can't leave the hospital without a car seat! I choose the UPPAbaby Mesa carrier to go along with the Cruz stroller. I liked the compact size of the Cruz (vs. the larger Vista) and didn't want to fuss with any adapters to make it compatible with other carrier. The base was simple to install in our SUV.

aden + anais Swaddle Blankets (grey, blue, pink)
These soft blankets are on every "must have" and registry list. I learned quickly that Lexi does not like to have her arms swaddled. She impressively managed to break her arms out of both the Halo SleepSack and the SwaddleMe. These blankets allow me to keep her hands free.

Graco Travel Lite Crib & Sheets (also available here)
I love that this doesn't take up much space in our bedroom and is reasonably priced. We will be traveling this summer to the Cape and Vineyard so I wanted a bassinet that we could easily bring with us. When she is older we will transition to a BABYBJORN Travel Crib for getaways.

Phillips AVENT Soothie Pacifier
This is the brand of pacifier used at the hospital.

Nuna Leaf
Thanks to my colleagues for getting this and the new mom that I work with that recommended it. She loves to snooze in it during the day.


Carter's Side-Snap Shirts (whiteboygirl)
I sent Ted to Carter's to pick these up shortly after returning from the hospital in both white and colors. I learned quickly that you are changing so many diapers it's a time saver not to worry about bottoms. They also have foldover cuffs to prevent babies from scratching. 

Keep those toes warm!

These are the diapers Lexi wore in the hospital. I had another brand of newborn diapers on hand but they did not have a wetness indicator. For the first week you will want to keep track and the indicator takes our the guessing. Also, they have an umbilical cord cut-out. 

Anyone that has come over points to this asks me what the heck it is. I went with this changing pad over the more popular fabric style because you can just wipe it off if it gets dirty. I have been placing a towel or liner over it, although it doesn't need it. 

Honest Wipes
So far so good with these wipes. I would like to keep as many products safe as possible and these are made without harsh ingredients. 

I was so excited when Beautycounter released their baby line in March. Only the best for my babe! I have been using the balm on her bum as an alternative to petroleum based products and the wash for her sponge baths.

Keeps baby propped up for a sponge bath. I placed her between a large towel folded in half on top to stay warm.

I don't know what else to say except that I'm impressed with how much stink this holds and you would never know.

Makes it easy to bring your baby with you room to room. She'll just hang out in this while I take a shower. In fact, she's in it right now as I'm writing this post. 

I bought Lexi  this blanket in pink and had the corner monogrammed. It's so soft and I have a feeling it will be her "blanky" that she can't live without. 






For the other moms out there, what were your first week essentials?

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Day One


These photos were taken the morning after Lexi was born at the hospital. It's hard to believe she wasn't even a day old. We weren't expecting to have a mini photo shoot and I was happy that I had her monogrammed Little Giraffe blanket with us. Her grandparents gave her the sweet Tiffany's Man in the Moon rattle. The first of many photo shoots to come! 



 









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Thursday, April 14, 2016

Welcoming Alexa Lynn

Alexa Lynn
Born April 2, 2016 at 9:59 pm
6 pounds & 12 ounces, 19.5 inches

Ted and I welcomed our baby girl, Alexa Lynn, into the world on Saturday, April 2 at 9:59 pm at Greenwich Hospital. Lexi is absolutely perfect and we are so in love!

Lexi made her debut 9 days early. Her first week and a half home has been amazing and I am treasuring every moment I have with her while on maternity leave. I feel so blessed and grateful to be her mom and overwhelmed with happiness.

I had taken Friday off work to look at a couple of daycares and pick up food and preparations for an impromptu get together on Saturday for Ted's upcoming birthday. All day I wasn't feeling quite right as I was running my errands. I was planning to work from home up until my delivery, and had a sense that maybe I wasn't going to be able to meet a Monday deadline for my month end numbers. Being the paranoid workaholic I am, I logged online and completed it just in case.

That night we went to one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, Bodega, followed by frozen yogurt. Ted was adamant about getting our date nights in before she arrived and definitely didn't anticipate this would be the last one before we needed a babysitter. The waiter couldn't see my belly under the table and asked if I wanted a margarita. I remember thinking not now, but definitely the next time I am here I will!

Later that evening, I was up just about every hour feeling uncomfortable. I was having mild contractions and ended up getting out of bed around 5:30 am to shower and walk around. Every hour the contractions got stronger, but no pattern. I decided to text my friends that were taking the train in from Manhattan that I wasn't feeling well and canceling Ted's party. Just in case.

Ted left for the golf course and I told him to have his phone close by. Well, I texted him right before his tee off to turnaround and come home. I was timing my contractions on an app, and it would flash a "Go to the hospital" message, haha. I spoke with my OB and was advised to come in and get checked out. Ted and I packed our bags (mine was basically ready to go) and off to the hospital we went. I was praying it wasn't a false alarm the entire ride there.

No, I didn't bring my own nautical gown to the hospital. So fitting for me!

After being hooked up on monitor for an hour, they advised that I walk around for another hour to see if I progressed, otherwise they would send me home. I paced around the hospital in a gown and socks with Ted, held my belly and begged and begged Alexa to arrive that day. She is a Belieber (she would always start kicking me in the car when I was singing along to Justin Bieber on the radio) so we even put on "Baby" for me to dance around to in our room. An hour later I was back on the monitor and was officially admitted. Phew! Needless to say, Ted let our other friends know that the party was off and I asked him to call the bakery and let them know we wouldn't be picking up the cake that afternoon. Instead, we celebrated Lexi's birthday!

I went into labor open minded and not sure if I would have an epidural or not. I quickly opted for it when I had the chance, which provided relief from contractions for a few hours. It wore off by delivery that evening as I never got the memo that I could press a button and amp it up before it was too late. I was so determined to meet her that I pushed for 10 minutes and she arrived. (Update - I really should have added that I have never been in so much pain in my life when the epidural wore off... I was that screaming crazy lady.)


Lying in the hospital bed and looking over to see Lexi grip Ted's finger for the first time is one of the most precious memories I will ever have. Our lives are forever changed!


Welcome, Lexi. We love you!

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