This weekend was for father/son matching outfits…park dates with friends…Jeni’s goat cheese and cherry ice cream (a mix between cheese cake and a cherry danish - worth every hefty calorie!)…much needed salon time…a kid-friendly dinner with friends…lots of sunny neighborhood walks and catching up with Gram and Grandpa B.
Hope you had a great weekend!
What I have learned raising a boy (thus far):
Skinned knees and bruises are inevitable
The louder the crash, the better!
The point of building a structure is to knock it down
It doesn’t matter if the socks don’t match
How to take apart multiple trains and put them back together in under a minute
It doesn’t matter how short you cut their hair or how masculine you dress them, some (daft) people will still mistake them for girls
No matter how picky the eater, you can still slip a few fruits and veggies by their lips if you use a fun name…like Little B’s new favorite drink, the “Charlie Brown” at Green Corner (kale, spinach, blackberries, peanut butter and almond milk…okay, it’s probably because of the peanut butter)!
From the Met steps…
Last week’s Met Gala was perfection in my opinion. I love seeing how stylists interpret themes, and of course, anything with studs is a winner in my book. Thus, I thought the punk theme was genius!
Sienna Miller was my favorite with the studded jacket over the draped white dress. Rooney Mara’s white lace dress and dark plum lip was also a hit. Kirsten Dunst’s Louis Vuitton ombre dress with the plunging neckline was absolutely dynamite.
I’m a big fan of mixing a little “glamour meets danger” in my every day wardrobe and there are definitely subtle ways to incorporate it (even as a mom). Leather tees, ombre, studs and cut outs (even if they are just “blacked out”) are some of my favorite ways to do so. Here are some fun pieces out right now that allow you to do the same:
[Images via Scoop NYC and Nordstrom]
An anniversary of sorts…
I went back to my hometown of Cincinnati for a wedding this past weekend. Going back to your hometown is a funny thing. Of course, you get nostalgic about all of the good times you had as a child, but also, I think you appreciate where you currently live and count your blessings (for me anyway!).
This month also marks ten years for me with a Chicago address. I have always loved this town. Great Midwestern people, enthusiastic sports fans, amazing restaurants, unique boutiques and fabulous summers (to counteract the horrific winters, I suppose). I met my husband here. I made lifelong friends here. I started a family here. This is home for me and I can’t wait to see what the next ten years bring to this “second city.”
*No, the wedding was not held in a parking lot. It was held at Paul Brown Stadium (where the Bengals play), hence the parking lot. Photography brought to you by several vodka tonics…
It’s wedding season!
We have a number of weddings and wedding-related events to attend this year (go love!). Some with the same crowd, which means many different outfit options are needed. Shopping for weddings can be difficult. You certainly don’t want to outshine the bride (as if that is even possible with some), but you want to look chic and be comfortable. Easy, right? Well, with the right designer, I’ve learned…
At this point in my life (and after many horrific fashion mishaps), I’ve identified my go-to designers. J Brand and Rag and Bone are my denim staples; IRO and Elizabeth and James for my jackets and blazers, Equipment and Parker for breezy blouses and Cynthia Rowley for sassy dresses.
I’ve confessed my love for Cynthia Rowley numerous times on this little blog. Her Damen boutique team is so sweet. Shopping is actually fun there (often with champagne and snacks)! And with so many adorable, whimsical options to choose from, there’s really a dress for every occasion. Check out the handful of picks in the mix for the upcoming wedding season…
[Images via Cynthia Rowley]
5 Things to Try This Weekend: Rock Metallic Heels!
I couldn’t agree more! Nothing makes an outfit pop like a pair of metallic heels.
These pics were taken this time last year just before my very first Mother’s Day. I was so exited to celebrate being a mom; we had such a perfect day: sunshine, coffee in bed, a long run, brunch with friends and dinner with family.
This year is going to be a little different. We have a wedding this weekend and Little B is staying with Grandma and Grandpa B. I am not looking forward to waking up without my favorite little man on Sunday morning, but the more I think about it, Mother’s Day is really everyday for me. I get to wake up to a silly, smiling face every morning and plan fun adventures for the two of us. I get to witness every new word and development and take full advantage of baby snuggles.
I’ll still get to see my mom on the special day and enjoy a nice family dinner, but I am already looking forward to squeezing this face when we return home on Sunday…
Hope you have some fun plans you are looking forward to either to celebrate your mom or as a mom on Sunday!
Our last Arizona sunset for awhile…
No really, I need these sandals. Mother’s Day gift?!Zara knit (similar here) and skort, Isabel Marant sandals, Proenza Schouler bag, Celine sunglasses, Michael Kors watch, Luv AJ cuff, Gorjana cuff, Jacquie Aiche rings. (image: tuulavintage)
Last week I attended a “Potty Training Basics” seminar hosted by Bump Club Chicago. It was a solid class - they covered the important facts, told us what not to do and gave helpful pointers when hitting a rough spot in the process.
Little B just turned 19 months and I want to get rid of diapers before the end of the summer. I know it may seem a little aggressive, especially for a boy, but the instructor told us that the closer they get to age two, the more they associate diapers with “elimination” (yes, that is the terminology) and the more difficult it becomes. That was all I needed to hear to get motivated for what may be the toughest part of parenting yet…
We are taking the slow and steady approach which includes setting aside a window of time (for us, right before his evening bath) to allow him to run around naked. When I see him getting ready to go, I rush him to the potty so he gets the idea. We bought an Elmo book about the potty, put his stuffed animals on to show him how they go and even bought him a “Cars” themed one, hoping it would excite him…um, not exactly.
He likes to close the lid and sit on top. Or “flush” to hear the car exhaust noise. But no, there has been no substance to hit the potty this week (sorry, TMI). He has, however, gone both #1 and #2 on my parents’ living room rug, which provided quite a bit of entertainment, but not so fun to clean up (again, gross, apologies).
We’ll continue this course at home for a few more weeks. Fingers crossed it sinks in. If not, we move onto the “boot camp” approach where we don’t leave home for a few days so that there is quite a bit of “practice.” God help me…
