Joseph: Two Months

Posted in General Life, Oh Baby by

Joseph turned two months old yesterday. (Mother’s Day, how appropriate.) It is amazing how quickly time flies.

This past month, I have been growing by leaps and bounds. I am now 14lbs 8oz and 24 inches long! I am doing great at supporting my head and I love to look around at the world. I recognize mommy and daddy and love to make faces at them. I am “talking” all the time. I love to play on my play mat and go for walks outside. I am doing better at sleeping through the night, usually getting up only once for a midnight (2am) snack. Let’s see how much more I learn this next month!

Joe’s Play Quilt

Posted in Oh Baby, She's Crafty by

I had some leftover squares from making Joseph’s quilt and decided to make a play quilt for him. Something that I can throw on the floor or ground and won’t have to worry about it getting stained or soiled. I made sure not to use any white fabric in this one, so it will be extra boy friendly.

I used a basic Disappearing Nine Patch pattern. I love this, it’s so simple! I highly recommend you try it out if you haven’t yet. I know I’ll use it again soon. Here’s a great tutorial from Cluck Cluck Sew.

I used the leftover squares made from Shawn’s old shirts, plus some yellow gingham to make the top, some Kona solid in Navy for the backing, and a smaller yellow gingham for the binding. All the fabrics were already in my stash, so I only had to purchase some navy thread for quilting. Nothing better than an almost free project!

I think that this quilt will be a part of a lot of play time, picnics, and fun in the future.

Birchbox

Posted in Fashion by

I am not really a big make up person. On a daily basis, I’m fine with some moisturizer and some lip balm. If I’m going “out” I’ll add some mascara, a bit of eye shadow and maybe some blush if I’m feeling extra pale. I rarely do more than that. I think that part of the reason why I’m not that into make up is that I am a bit overwhelmed by the options out there. I frankly don’t have the time to experiment and sample all the different brands to see what I’d like.

This has led me to decide to sign up with Birchbox. What is it you ask? Birchbox  is a company that delivers luxe beauty, grooming and lifestyle product samples to you each month based on your beauty profile. I think the Birchbox program is going to be really fun. For only $10/month I’m able to try 4-5 deluxe size samples of new products without searching all over or paying full price. You also receive 10 points for every month you receive your box and additional points for reviewing the products you receive. You also receive a point for every $1.00 you spend when purchasing product (either ones from the box, or others available on their site). For every 100 points, you earn $10.00!  It’s a great system, definitely better than the one at Sephora, where you only can redeem it your points for products of their choosing. You also earn an additional 50 points whenever you refer a friend, so if your interested click here!

I’m excited to change things up with my beauty regime (meaning actually starting one) and I promise I’ll be sure to post when I receive my first box and will let you know what I think of the products I receive.

RIP Maurice Sendak

Posted in Books, Pop by

I was so sad to hear about the passing of Maurice Sendak, the author of “Where the Wild Things Are.” This is one of my favorite children’s books and I am so looking forward to reading it to Joe one day. The illustrations are amazing and I love how Sendak captures the emotions of Max and the monsters so artfully with very little text. It is one of the most beloved children’s books of my generation and I know that it will continue to be for those that follow. RIP, Mr. Sendak, I know a wild rumpus awaits you in heaven.


Outfitted: Date Night

Posted in Fashion by
Date Night

This past weekend my mom came into town to visit. She babysat for Shawn and I so we could go out, just the two of us. I cannot even begin to tell you how much this was needed. It was absolutely wonderful to get dressed up and go out for a few drinks and have a wonderful meal. I felt like a woman again instead of a mommy. This already has me dreaming of our next night out together so I can shed my jeans and t-shirts and get a little fancy. Now I just need to find a sitter.

Strapless dress, $118 Flat leather sandals, $16 J Crew woven clutch, $128 House of Harlow 1960 bracelet, $298 Watch, Warby Parker sunglasses, $95

101 Things: 26. Join a yoga studio

I was regularly practicing yoga when we lived in Madison, but when I got pregnant with the twins I was unable to continue. (Major morning sickness and downward facing dog do not go well together.) I took a few classes at the club after the twins, but I wasn’t a fan of the class. I mean, there was old people wearing JEANS in there. So you could imagine that it wasn’t really the most challenging.

I decided that as part of my Dream Year 2012 I would get back into practicing again.I decided to join Grow Yoga a studio that is close by and has classes that I can go to in the evening so Shawn can babysit. I’ve started with an eight week intro class to get myself back into the swing of things. I’ve signed up to take the Hatha Yoga series since I wanted a slower and more detailed approach to so I can relearn yoga postures and focus on the connection of breath and movement as well as proper alignment. Practicing Hatha Yoga builds strength and flexibility and is a wonderful way to de-stress, something I desperately need. I think that once I complete this course I’ll move on to a more challenging class, but for right now I think this will be just what I need.

Things I’m Afraid To Tell You

I’ve decided to join in on a challenge that stemmed from this post by Jess from Makeunder My Life. Some 50 other bloggers and myself have decided to air our dirty laundry and just get things off our chest that we’ve often thought about sharing, but might have felt too fearful or uncertain to post. You can find the entire list of participants on Creature Comforts.
I feel like I’m pretty open about most things here (possibly a little too much so at times) but I think that it is a great idea to try to keep yourself honest and is a fantastic way to generate conversations about things that you might not always be comfortable bringing up. I feel like this previous post of mine is a great example. I was surprised and amazed by the comments and support I received, something I would not have gotten if I didn’t speak up.
I’ve decided to address this challenge using list form. (No surprise there.) So here it goes:
Things I’m Afraid to Tell You:
  • I sometimes feel guilty that I am able to stay at home with Joseph. I have many friends who work full time along with raising their children and I know how difficult that can be. I am blessed to be able to do it, but I am somewhat embarrassed to say it. I can’t fully explain why.
  • I watch the soap opera General Hospital. Usually, I DVR it so I can fast forward through story lines I don’t like. It is a guilty pleasure for me.
  • I feel that my husband is more stylish that myself and always ask his opinion on my wardrobe choices.
  • For the most part, I hated being pregnant. I felt like my body wasn’t my own and it frustrated me that I wasn’t able to do what I wanted. It made me realize how fragile my body is and to not take my health for granted. However, I would go through it all again for it was worth it to bring the light of my life into the world.
  • I worry about death and dying all the time. About myself as well as those I love. It terrifies me.
  • I have recurring dreams about tornados and train derailments. (Separately)
  • One of my biggest regrets is changing my major in college from Fine Art to Visual Communications. I did it because I was worried about finding a job, when I should have stuck with something I loved.
UPDATE: I am amazed by how open and honest everyone has been in this challenge. It is a great comfort to know that others have the same thoughts and worries that I do. I want to share a direct link to the participants so you can check out other posts.
Design for Mankind | Little Brown Pen | Beautiful Hello | Curating Style | Sweet Fine Day |The Jealous Curator | Happy Days | Sage & Berries | Really Handmade | Peck Life | Satsuma Press | Rena Tom | For the Easily Distracted | The Hemborg Wife | Vitamini Handmade |Courtney Khail Stationery and Design | Meg in Progress | Dando Photography Blog | Alison Citron | Pink Moon Daily | Just Pretty Things | From China Village |Tea with Me | The Darling Ewe | Not Your Average Ordinary | The Electric Typewriter |Elleby Design | Parsimonia {Secondhand With Style} | Life as an Artistpreneur | Hello Cupcake | Dellie | The A & B Stories | Pretty Little Things | Feistyelle | Nib & Zed | Well and Cheaply | I Ripple. I Dance. | Whitfield Awesome Blog | Foxtrot Press | Dry As Toast | The List of Now | Apple Blue

Purse Pouches

purse pouches

Now that I am schlepping around a baby bag, I have been just throwing my wallet in it when I have to go somewhere. (It is just too hard to mess with a purse and the baby bag when hauling around the carseat.) This is a pain because I always end up forgetting something be it lip balm, notebook, pens, etc. I am thinking of investing is a pouch or clutch to toss these things in that I can easily transfer from purse to baby bag. I think that I’d like on in a bright color as well, making it an easier target when diving into the depths of my bag to fish it out. Here are a few options I think would do the job.

Clare Vivier foldover clutch, $156 BAGGU clutch handbag, $40 American Apparel suede handbag $56 Kate Spade beauty product, $68 BAGGU Baggu Small Zipper Set – Set Of 3 $8