. . . and we’re back.

Posted in General Life by

Well, we are back from our trip out to visit my family. It was a great time and I was so happy on how well Joseph did on the trip. We ended up leaving Thursday night so he could sleep in the car on the way there. This was both good and bad, good because he slept like a dream and bad because Shawn and I were so tired ourselves.

Friday I took the little one to see my mom at her school. She was bursting at the seams, she was so proud and excited to show him off to her staff. I am glad that we were able to do that for her.

Saturday was the party, what a great time! It was so wonderful to celebrate Joseph and welcome him to the family. My only regret was that I didn’t get to spend enough time talking to everyone. We are so bless to have so many wonderful family and friends. We also incorporated a photo session for the baby into the day. My dear friend Angi is an amazing photographer and she started her own company, Three Oranges Photography. I’ll be doing a full post on this once we get the proofs from her. But let me say now that it was AMAZING!

The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing and enjoying ourselves with the family. We even took Joe for his first swim in my parents pool! He was so calm and content as Shawn carried him around in the water. It makes me even more excited to bring him to the pool this year.

All in all, it was a great weekend. I hope that the rest of the summer is just as perfect.

 

 

Packing for a two month old

Posted in Lists by

You all know how I love a good list. Well, here’s the one I made while planning to pack for our trip to visit my family. I felt like I was preparing for the Normandy Invasion.

Joseph’s Packing List

  1. diapers (one large “sleeve” of Pamper’s Swaddlers Size 2)
  2. package of diaper wipes
  3. baby wash & lotion
  4. diaper ointment
  5. baby sunscreen
  6. brush & comb
  7. towels (2)
  8. washcloths (3)
  9. burp cloths (3)
  10. bibs (3)
  11. container of Similac
  12. bottles (8)
  13. socks (3)
  14. shoes
  15. outfits (12)
  16. pajamas (2)
  17. onesies (3)
  18. play quilt
  19. receiving blanket (2)
  20. pack’n’play
  21. playtime mat
  22. toys (Mr. Octopus, Spot, Dr. Seuss)
  23. Bouncy Seat
  24. Stroller  with carseat attachment
  25. Mosquito netting for stroller
  26. pacifiers (2)

Baggu Key Chains

Posted in Fashion by

I’m sure by now you are well aware of my love for all things Baggu. If not, please see here, here, here . . . you get the idea. Well, they did it again, this time with keychains!

Adding to the new leather line, they’ve introduced two styles, the loop and the pouch. I think I prefer the clean, minimal look of the loop, but think the pouch is quite cute and would be perfect to keep some emergency money or a pot of lip balm in. I love the current color-pallete as well. That yellow is totally calling my name.

I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

May’s Birchbox

Posted in Fashion by

I received my first Birchbox yesterday! I thought that I’d have to wait until June’s box, but I was signed up in time for May. This month’s theme was “Gossip Girl” to go along with the show’s season finale. I don’t what the show, so this really had no meaning for me, but I did find that I liked most of the product samples I received.

  • Twistband Hair Tie: My hair is too short right now to pull back into a ponytail, but this hair tie looks like it would do the job. I got a rust colored one, but they come in a rainbow for colors and they seem like they’d be really secure, but wouldn’t tear your hair or leave “dents” when you take them off.
  •  Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensée Petite Cologne Absolue: This was a little too strong for my taste, especially for summer. It’s not overly vanilla like some scents, but the amber and jasmine make it a little too intense for me.
  • Color Club’s Foil Collection Nail Polish in Disco Nap: I love this color! It’s a gold color with a silvery matte glitter in it. I can see it looking great on hands or toes, especially with a tan. I’ll definitely use this.
  • fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15: I am a huge fan of fresh Sugar’s products and I am obsessed with these lip balms. I already have a few of them, but not in this color. It is a really sheer berry-pink tint. Very subtle and perfect for every day use. It is super nourishing and has a nice shine but with out any goopy mess. Will be buying a full size one in this hue for sure.
  • Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+:  I haven’t had a chance to try this product yet, but I’ve read about it in some magazines and it sounds like just what I need. It’s a moisturizer, sunscreen, and treatment serum all-in-one.  It is also tinted so  there’s no need for foundation or cover-up. I need something like this because I don’t have much time for applying make-up with the little guy and this would save me several steps while still allowing me to look “put together”.
  • Birchbox note card: I also receive a little notecard with envelope, I’m assuming this was a bonus freebie. I like the envelope better than the card itself, it it a true bright pink while the card is more a dull red color. The card stock used is pretty flimsy as well, but hey it’s free!

Well, I have to say that overall, I am really happy with my first box. I received a product I love and a couple more that I think that I’d definitely use again. The only bummer was the perfume, but that’s such a subjective thing, I really don’t mind. I can’t wait until June so I can see what my next box will bring!

If anyone is interested in signing up for a box, please click here, that way I get points for the referral. Thanks!

 

 

Plank A Day

Posted in Dream Year 2012 by

I definitely could use some help in the abs department after pregnancy and I hate crunches. I was looking around for some core workouts and I came across this idea. Simply, you do at least one plank a day for and hold it as long as you can. Each day you tweet with the has tag #plankaday to help keep you accountable and for support. Of course, I’ll be doing additional core work besides this, but I I know I can at least do this when I have those days that I can’t get a longer work out in.

Knitting again.

Posted in She's Crafty by

20120518-144344.jpg

Have I mentioned that I’m knitting again? My carpal tunnel finally cleared up a few weeks ago and I’m able to knit without any pain or numbness. Huzzah!

I actually got back at it this week after finishing a few sewing projects. I’ve been focused on sewing lately because it’s faster and I can get a lot accomplished while the little guy naps. But I missed the relaxing process of knitting. It’s more of something I’ll do in the evenings after he’s asleep. We’ll also be doing some traveling the next couple of weekends, so I’ll have something to do in the car.

I still have my Etsy shop closed for now. I’m trying to decide if I should shut it down completely or just put it on hiatus until fall. We’ll see.

Outfitted: Picnic in the Park

Posted in Fashion, Homey Goodness by
picnic in the park
All this glorious weather we’ve been having is making me want to go on a picnic. What could sound better than a leisurely afternoon at the park eating, chatting, and playing some scrabble in the sun?

101 Things: 36. Update homeowners insurance with valuables

Posted in 101 Things by

I know this is not one of the more exciting things on the list, but it definitely needed to be done. I highly recommend doing this if you haven’t already. We don’t have a ton of valuables, but those that we do have are really important to us. I would freak out if something happened to say my engagement ring and it wasn’t covered so I could get it replaced. This took more time than I thought it would, since we had to get things appraised and then send the appraisals in the the insurance company. But, it’s done and I have one less thing to worry about.

Lola’s Quilt

Posted in She's Crafty by

My dear friend’s little girl, Lola, recently turned one. I wanted to make her a quilt when she was born, but with moving and everything happening last year, I wasn’t able to get one made. I decided that instead, I’d make her one for her first birthday.

I wanted something simple and fun, not too pink or overly girly. I ended up choosing to make a simple patchwork quilt using vintage sheets. I purchased them from Jeni’s shop from In Color Order. She has an amazing collection of vintage sheets, not to mention writes a great blog about sewing, quilting, and her pet bunny, George!

I used the vintage sheets for the top and part of the back. I used pink and white solids from my stash for the back and some pink calico quilter’s cotton that I picked up at Joann’s for the binding. I really love the range of colors and patterns from the vintage sheets, not to mention that it already has a soft, worn-in feeling to it. I hope that Lola enjoys it for many years to come.