Rockabye Bucktown

This weekend was for father/son matching outfits…park...

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:33:03 -0400

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...

Sat, 18 May 2013 14:34:57 -0400

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...

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:20:38 -0400

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...

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:28:39 -0400

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...

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:37:13 -0400

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]

theglitterguide: 5 Things to Try This Weekend: Rock Metallic...

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:16:45 -0400

theglitterguide:

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...

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:08:38 -0400

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…

Sat, 04 May 2013 23:15:29 -0400

Our last Arizona sunset for awhile…

what-do-i-wear: Zara knit (similar here) and skort, Isabel...

Fri, 03 May 2013 16:38:07 -0400

what-do-i-wear:

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)

No really, I need these sandals. Mother’s Day gift?!

Operation Underwear

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:06:48 -0400

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…

Summer anyone? Cut offs, a slouchy tee, studded sandals and a...

Fri, 03 May 2013 13:42:31 -0400

Summer anyone? Cut offs, a slouchy tee, studded sandals and a Celine bag. I’m on board!

I could definitely cook/dine/imbibe here…

Thu, 02 May 2013 01:55:04 -0400

I could definitely cook/dine/imbibe here…

Hump Day Happiness: lots of fun in the Arizona sun with my...

Wed, 01 May 2013 19:54:01 -0400

Hump Day Happiness: lots of fun in the Arizona sun with my little man! Pool time, splash pads and wagon rides…someone is not going to want to go home!

Recent parenting victories and failures… Little B...

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:57:22 -0400

Recent parenting victories and failures…

Little B absolutely loves his new art class, so I thought we would do an at home art project with paint today to practice…except that he used his belly as the canvas more than the paper…(Regardless of the mess, I claim this as a victory! Points for creativity!)

Although, we did have an incident in art class last week when he accidentally glued his right eye shut for a few minutes, lashes and all (big fail)

Another new favorite activity is dancing. He heard “Gangnam Style” and went crazy (victory!)

On the other hand, a not so fun activity that he has picked up is shoving objects up his nose (stickers, crackers, whatever). I had to retrieve a Wheat Thin the other day…(ugh, fail)

But he has been asking for double cucumbers at dinner! Vegetable win!

We’ve been learning how to count. He’s definitely got “one” down, but makes up another word for both two and three that I can’t quite make out just yet. We’ll get there…(patience, mom)

His favorite phrase lately is “get out of the way!” No really. When we’re cruising down Damen, Milwaukee, the Edens, the Ike, doesn’t matter. He’s yelling it at people, cars, dogs, cats, you name it. He even has a hand motion where he swats everyone away. Aggressive? Maybe, but I’ll consider it a victory until he offends someone…

To Build or Not to Build...

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:40:19 -0400

When we started seriously considering building a home, so many people advised me not to and steered me in the opposite direction.

“Don’t do it! I know of too many people divorcing after building a home together.” I heard (amongst other things)…

Hmm…interesting feedback. I guess if you weren’t secure in your marriage or didn’t know how to compromise, this home building things would be a horrific process and detrimental to a family.

What’s funny is that I wasn’t the one that wanted to build a home. I actually wanted to buy an existing home and tweak it to our liking. My husband is different. He likes everything new. He likes tailoring things. He is all about projects (he is a consultant after all…and a good one).

He was trying to appease me and look at established homes, but I could tell his heart wasn’t in it. Then a lot became available in a great school district, not to far from the quaint downtown of the burb we will soon call home. We drove past it numerous times. We watched the neighbors (creepy, I know) and evaluated who had swing sets and kids close to Little B’s age. We got plans from our builder, analyzed for hours and finally decided to go for it.

It’s only the beginning, of course, but thus far, we’ve made some major decisions and some minor decisions…some with minimal disagreement and some with discussions lasting weeks. I got the uber fancy refrigerator that I was dying for and he gets to finish the basement. Like I said, minor details in the grand scheme of things, but we’re on the right path and haven’t killed each other yet. Now, if we could only get a certain gas company to go and pick up their meter so that the bulldozing can begin, we’d be in business.

Stay tuned, my friends…

It has been a week… Between the Boston tragedy, feeling...

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:10:57 -0400

It has been a week…

Between the Boston tragedy, feeling like garbage, snow in late April and an overscheduled/traveling husband, this past week seemed to drag on. To remedy a less than stellar few days, Mr. B and I had a fun date night last night. Just the two of us, having a real meal that I didn’t have to make or pick up at Whole Foods. I even wore (these delicious) heels for the first time in weeks. A perfect weekend pick me up.

Today was just as nice; an early morning class with Little B, sunshine, booked flights to Arizona next week (!!!!) and now a family dinner just the three of us (where dessert will most definitely be involved). I have a feeling next week is going to be a good one…

Hope you had a great weekend!

This week… Really into: Little Market Brasserie (skip out on the...

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:49:19 -0400

This week…

Really into:

Little Market Brasserie (skip out on the ceviche, but definitely go for the scallops and the deviled eggs - delicious!)
Rose and blush-colored denim
Some super fun baby play dates: one with our favorite “Canadians” (baking cookies and playing ping pong) and another with a certain right wing Blackhawks player’s daughter (she’s tough - must be hereditary)
These amazing metal trunk tables for our future family room. Slightly rounded edges = good for kids, right?

Not so into:

Being on a waiting list for our first choice pre-school (in the burbs, mind you). Let the games begin!
Waking up everyday to rain…need sun (and motivation) ASAP (a last minute trip to AZ may be necessary)

Spring wardrobe update: tees While t-shirts may be the...

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:39:18 -0400

Spring wardrobe update: tees

While t-shirts may be the unofficial top for the SAHM (seen weekdays and weekends…everywhere), it certainly doesn’t mean that they need to appear sloppy and unkempt. I hesitated wearing them when I decided to stay home because I felt like they were a slippery slope to wearing pajamas all day, but it couldn’t be farther from the truth! As it turns out, they are both functional (for trips to the park and making messy lunches) and fashionable (to throw on for a last minute lunch at Fred’s).

Check out the latest tees of the season (some of my favorites shown here) boasting fun colors and patterns. Perfect with a pair of fitted jeans, relaxed shorts or a bold skirt. Keeping the peanut butter and jelly off of them in public is another story…

[images via Net-a-Porter, Piperlime and J Crew]

what-do-i-wear: Zara dress, Céline sunglasses and shoes, Chanel...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:22:20 -0400

what-do-i-wear:

Zara dress, Céline sunglasses and shoes, Chanel bag (image: pinkhorrorshow)

A perfect mix of high and low

Hang in there, Boston!

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 22:51:35 -0400

Hang in there, Boston!