Monday, May 30, 2016

MDW 2016 Snapshot

Sunglasses: Ray Ban. Top: Target.
Alexa's Dress: Carter's. Moccasins: Freshly Picked.

Our first family road trip to Cape Cod is currently in progress. Live and learn... it takes much longer than expected to pack up the car now. We left last Thursday evening around Alexa's bedtime and she slept during the four hour ride. Hopefully I don't jinx the ride home next week!



Our friends Mike and Kate came to visit Friday and Saturday. We missed their destination Caribbean wedding last month so I was anxious to finally congratulate them in person and introduce Alexa. Kate and I spent Saturday shopping... I bought the cute Red Sox bow at Minnows & Guppies on Main Street in Chatham. I knew Ted would love seeing it on his little girl... and more so that his Yankees fan wife caved and bought it. We spent Saturday afternoon at Chatham Bars Inn along with a few other friends on the Cape for the weekend. It is one of my favorite places to be in the summer.

Back in Connecticut my outings with Alexa have been just a couple of hours and easy to manage. I will not lie that being out and about all day gave me some anxiety, especially during her fussy times. My heart hurts when I hear her cry! All you mommas out there are probably thinking she has no idea what she has in store for the future, ha ha. Taking it one adventure at a time...



On Sunday we traveled into Boston for a beautiful wedding at the State Room. The view of the city was unbelievable. Ted's mom happily watched Alexa at our hotel during the ceremony and reception. I'm nursing so my booze intake was limited but thoroughly enjoyed. As usual I am regretting that I didn't take more pictures.

Looking forward to being back on the Cape all week. More adventures to come!

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Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Gimme Gingham


I'm a sucker for gingham. When I came across this chair on the Pottery Barn Kids website I had to have it in navy for Alexa. I love how it fits in with our living room decor and is different from her pink and grey nursery. A gingham upholstered chair has been on my wishlist.... I wasn't expecting to get one 2 feet tall but it works. Soon it will be used for more than just a photo prop but it will be fun to see her month to month pictures in it.

Here are a few other things that caught my eye...


Featured on Atlantic-Pacific

I like that this blanket as the straps to make it easily portable. I want it for the Greenwich Polo sidelines. 


Have you ever tried on a printed dress and thought it would be better suited for wallpaper or drapery? Gingham is one of the prints I love for both, ha. I would swap out the gold belt with a brown skinny leather belt.


If I had a solid comforter I would get these gingham sheets for my bedroom. I am dying to go to the Serena and Lily store in Westport. Has anyone reading been?


Scout bags make frequent appearances here. I have several of their bags for storage and travel (the 4 Boys Bag is my favorite) - they are durable and come in the cutest patterns. I hate when I forget my own bags for the grocery store... it's amazing how much more you can carry. I know this one would hold up. Use code BeachBum for 15% off $75+ through 7/5.


My friend introduced me to this NYC based company. She and her husband are always traveling and she was searching for a sturdy and stylish garment bag for him. You can add a monogram on the ches.t 

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Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Need for ZzzZzzzs...


Every day someone asks me if I'm getting any sleep with a baby. Yes... just no more than 3 or 4 hours at a time. Trust me, I'll take what I can get! It will be a different story if I can still function without my afternoon catnaps when I got back to work.

These "supersoft" pjs are my favorite for spring and summer and live up to the name. I would be lying if I said I was wearing a lacey bralette underneath now... replace that with a sexy nursing bra. (One of my friends always make fun of my sleep "tux" when we travel together, a quote from this scene from The Heat. Haha!)

So, what else do I need to make the most of my sleep?

- I never go to bed at night (even if it's just a few hours) without washing my face and slathering on my Beautycounter moisturizer and face oil. Always put on moisturizer before oil otherwise it won't penetrate through to your skin, a tip I learned from this Allure article.
- I am addicted to Lexi's white noise machine and will have to buy another when she moves into her own room.
- I toss, turn and drool in my sleep. When I wake up the front of my hair usually looks like a mullet. I have unsuccessfully tried different ways to get my hair to stay in place while I sleep so I don't have to restyle it in the morning. However, lately the Skinny Confidential's Sleep Bun Tutorial has been working sometimes. All you need is an alligator clip.


Target has a similar version of the pjs for half the price. I have the long sleeve and pant version. They don't wash as well as the Victoria's Secret version but a good alternative. Also, coming this fall...


Beautycounter for Target! It's a limited edition collection.... I plan to scoop up some of these exclusive sizes for my travel bag. Learn more about the collaboration here.

Am I missing out on a sleep essential? (Besides drugs?)

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Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Mother's Day


Ted, Alexa and I had brunch with my family to celebrate Mother's Day. We went to the same restaurant where my baby shower was held, Harlan Social, because it never disappoints. Alexa was an angel and slept the entire time. (Ted and I joke that she always puts on a good show... backstage with us is another story!)


Smoked salmon and wine... how I missed you both for months!

Dress: Target. Bow: Etsy. Blanket: Little Giraffe

I love dressing up my real life baby doll. Alexa's sweet gingham outfit is from Target (and only $7.99). She is still wearing the newborn size... I know I will blink and this won't fit her anymore. (This is the blue boy version.)


Back home snoozing on the couch, our favorite spot.

To my mommy and Alexa, I love you both more than you will ever know! xo

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Baby John On The Way


Blue, blue and more blue! Over the weekend I went to my friend Amanda's baby shower at the Upper Montclair Country Club in New Jersey. I can't wait to meet John Anthony, due in June. I know this lucky baby boy will be spoiled beyond belief by Amanda and his grandmas! Not a blue detail was missed at the celebration.







Amanda, I am so excited for you and the journey ahead. You will be an amazing mother! xo

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Friday, May 6, 2016

Friday Picks

Essie Lounge Lover

Happy Friday! I didn't indulge in any tequila for Cinco de Mayo yet still feel hungover from just looking at all the snaps of margaritas and shots on my social feeds. Instead I had a huge glass of wine and a SoCal Bareburger covered in guac. Now onto today's post...

Mirrored sunnies, off the shoulder, tassels on everything... here are my picks of the current trends. I threw in some jelly sandals for this beachy look - they are the best because the water and sand wipes right off.




J. Crew has brought back a version of their white tassel earrings. I wore them for several occasions last summer. I prefer this year's stud and wish I could trade mine in.

 
Essie Spring 2016 Collection

I have given up on gel manicures (for the moment) because I always end up picking and peeling it off. Now I'm paying attention to new polish colors and am loving the pink shades in Essie's latest collection. I'm getting a mani later today and hope the salon has it.

Have a good weekend!

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Tuesday, May 3, 2016

What's in the Diaper Bag: 1 Month


We haven't ventured out of the neighborhood much in our first month... a couple of appointments and a few errands. When we have, this is what I've brought along with us and it will likely be the same for the next month or so.


I like to change up my bags every season and figured I would want to do the same with Alexa's diaper bag. I decided to register for the Skip Hop Jump Pronto! Changing Station and Wet/Dry Bag to turn an LL Bean Boat and Tote (medium size with regular handles) into a diaper bag for the spring and summer. There are other inserts out there but they can be pricey. This is an affordable way to turn any tote into a diaper bag.



Change of clothes/Ziploc bags in case of a blow out



Honest Hand Sanitizer
Honest Organic Healing Balm (This is the travel size from the free trial)
Honest Diapers
Honest Wipes (The organize also comes with a plastic wipes case)
Boogie Wipes


I also pack a burp cloth, ring toy, and swaddle blanket to use as a nursing cover. Since I am breastfeeding it eliminates the need for items you may otherwise need in your bag. I did get the coordinating Skip Hop Jump Bottle Bag to use when nursing comes to an end.

At the end of the day (or whenever I have the chance) I will restock the bag as needed and place it in her carrier. That way I'm ready to go for the next outing.

As time goes on there will be more to add (sunscreen, teethers, toys, books) and I'll probably have to upgrade to the large size tote. Did I leave out any of your diaper bag essentials? 

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Monday, May 2, 2016

Blue and White Tablescape


Saturday night three of my best friends came out to Connecticut to visit and meet Lexi. I usually have this table against the wall with the leafs down (and use it as a desk). I was excited to pull it out and set it up for a girls night in. Wish I could say I cooked a fancy meal to serve but that was not happening... we ordered in.








We all visited Domaine Chandon in Napa this time last year. I bought this limited edition bottle a couple months ago to save for a special occasion. Finally time to pop it open! Chandon will come out with another great limited edition bottle for the summer, I can't wait to see it.

Pottery Barn Table & Chairs (Look for less here and here)
Crate & Barrel Place Mats & Napkins
Calico Custom Curtains (Look for less here)

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