Back in Action

IMG_2274_Layers_v1

IMG_2303_Layers_v1

IMG_2313_Layers_v1

IMG_2278_Layers_v1

Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Striped Blouse: H&M – similar here,  / Absolute Legging: AG Jeans / Booties: ALDO / Locket: Vintage via Etsy – more from the shop here / Clutch: TJ Maxx / Bracelets: Wanderlust + Co., ASOS (sold out – similar here), Baublebar

2014 has had a crazy start!  I started back up to work, and have been trying to figure out how to be a working mom.  Right now I’m trying to cram all my work into three days and still have time to pump three times a day to make sure my boy has enough to eat while I’m gone.  When I am home with him, he is more awake than ever, and he keeps me busy all day long.  It’s a lot of fun watching him grow (He rolled over for the first time this weekend!  And he’s sitting up for long periods of time on his own now!), but it can definitely be exhausting!  On top of that, we have been dealing with some house issues that need crucial hands on maintenance, and I’ve also been planning Nico’s upcoming Baptism.  Whew!

Needless to say, my poor little blog has been getting neglected.  I’ve had ideas for posts and outfits that I have wanted to blog, but life has just been getting in the way, and p + p unfortunately had to go on the back burner the past few weeks.  Hopefully as we settle into our new routine, I will be able to find some time to keep things going, because I really do love having this little creative outlet!

Onto this outfit.  Although, I do adore some pops of color every now and then, I do tend to go back to my comfort zone of black and white quite often!  Maybe it’s the New York in me.  I’m now back in my original size jeans (yay!) which called for a shopping celebration, and I scored this striped blouse at H&M while out.  The vintage locket I am wearing was a Christmas gift from my husband, and I’m absolutely in love with it.  There is a family photo of the three of us inside, with three other spaces to put photos when I want to add them.

Hope you will be hearing more from me in the coming weeks!  I am glad to be back in action.

XO,

Gina

I Didn’t Listen

IMG_1197_Layers_v1

IMG_1185_Layers_v1

IMG_1170_Layers_v1

IMG_1207_Layers_v1

IMG_1171_Layers_v1

IMG_1220_Layers_v1

IMG_1180_Layers_v1

Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Blazer: Target / Peplum Top: StyleMint – sold out, but also like this one and this one / Pants: Motherhood / Sunnies: ModCloth / Leopard Pumps: Liz Claiborne – on sale! / Necklace: Forever 21 / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Baublebar and Henri Bendel / Earrings: ALDO / Lip: MAC Candy Yum Yum

I didn’t listen.  They told me not to wear white.  “You’re a new mom.  Moms just can’t wear white.”  I despised this statement.  I thought to myself, “I can rock white.  Just because I’m a mom, now I can’t wear white?  But I like white.  Who cares what they say.  I’m going to be a rebel and do it anyway.”  So I flounced around in ivory lace skirts and more recently in this winter white blazer.  Well, I’m sad to say, everyone was right.  This white blazer lasted no more than an hour on our leisurely Saturday afternoon.  I won’t go into details, but you can probably imagine a scenario or two that could have happened to my white blazer.  The only upside was that I got to (had to) buy a new sweater to wear for the rest of the day.  The take away from this experience: I am not going to stop wearing white.  However, I will most likely save my white wearing days for those when I am back in the office with no little munchkins around.

It’s starting to get chilly here in New York City, and I am getting super excited for a little mini vacay we are taking to Florida on Wednesday!  The weather is looking nice and warm for our trip, and I have a fresh mani/pedi for the occasion (thanks hubby for watching Nico so I could enjoy 90 minutes of bliss).  It’s time to get packin’ over here.

Hope you all enjoy the week!

XO,

Gina

Paint the Town Blue

IMG_0926_Layers_v1

This is one of my favorite jackets to wear for fall, and you can see I wore it last fall as well.  I received this beautiful necklace as a new mommy gift from a friend, and I just couldn’t wait to style it!  I have been reluctant to do a full shopping spree this season since I am in a bit of a limbo period where some of my old clothes still fit, but some of them are still too small.  I am hesitant to go out and buy a bunch of new clothes in bigger sizes than my “normal.” (especially pants.)  So all the items here have been recycled from my current closet.  Everything you see here has been worn in a previous post, but I mixed and matched to create this new look for the season.

IMG_0936_Layers_v1

IMG_0951_Layers_v1

IMG_0938_Layers_v1

IMG_0947_Layers_v1

IMG_0959_Layers_v1

Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Jacket: Macy’s (old) / Button Down: GAP – sold out – similar / Jeans: Motherhood / Booties: Target / Necklace: Coup de Coeur (gift from friend) – not available online / Sunnies: Vintage / Earrings: Forever 21 / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelet: Baublebar – similar / Lip: Lancome Fuchsia Clutch – similar

Hope you all had a great weekend.  We celebrated Nico’s 1st Halloween party with the parents and babies in the neighborhood, carved a pumpkin, took a couple walks and did some things around the house.  Nico has his 2 month doctor’s appointment this week (wow, 2 months already!) and it’s also Halloween!  Not sure if we will actually walk around with him this year or we will just give out candy on the stoop.  What are your plans this Halloween?  Or what did you do to celebrate this past weekend?

XO,

Gina

Saturday Stroll

IMG_0477_Layers_v1

The weather has been so gorgeous, and last weekend was perfect for a Saturday stroll with the whole family.  We headed over to Caton Park (near Prospect Park) to check out the kids playing soccer (boy, do I miss soccer!), and then headed out for a second family dinner at a local Thai restaurant.  Yes, I had dessert before dinner…oops!  But the coconut ice being sold at the fields was too yummy to turn down.  Nico is loving his stroller (thanks Mimi/Nano and Aunt Angie/Uncle Adam!)  We are pretty lucky to have received this gift as it’s basically the Mercedes Benz version of a stroller.  It even has shocks!  I have to say, it’s perfect for our bumpy neighborhood sidewalks, and it’s definitely getting a ton of use right now.

I’m feeling good and had a great post partum doc appointment this past week.  Nico also had his 1 month appointment.  He seriously disliked getting his shot (Mommy and Baby were both in tears.) However, he is hitting his milestones so far and is looking to be a healthy baby at this point, so I could not be happier!

IMG_0468_Layers_v1

IMG_0473_Layers_v1

IMG_0467_Layers_v1

IMG_0486_Layers_v1

Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Top: GAP / Tank: J. Crew / Jeans: Motherhood / Sunglasses: Waveborn / Shoes: MIA – on sale! / Earrings: ALDO / Necklace: Family Heirloom / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Gorjana, Stella and Sparkle, and Baublebar / Lip: Lancome Red Haute

Stroller: Uppababy Vista / Car Seat: Chicco Keyfit 30 / Chicco Car Seat Adapter for Uppababy: Amazon / Baby Blanket: Carter’s

Looking forward to the weekend and having Daddy home with us.  I’m picking up a dress for one of my best friend’s wedding’s next weekend.  I was super worried about how it was going to look having just had a baby, but luckily the material is forgiving and the color is black!  Also, breastfeeding and walking around the neighborhood have proven to be advantageous to starting me off on getting my old figure back.  I have to keep reminding myself that it took me 9 months to get the way I was, so getting back to normal is not going to happen overnight!

Also on our possible weekend agenda is taking Nico out for his first visit to the pumpkin patch!  Hoping photos will follow.

Happy Friday and a Happy Weekend to all!

XO,

Gina

First Family Dinner Out

IMG_0429_Layers_v1

With all of the craziness of figuring out life with a newborn, I sometimes find myself not leaving the house for days on end.  I also find that this isn’t very good for my sanity.  The constant 24/7 loop of feed, change, sleep, repeat can be a little mind numbing, and as adorable as that little face is to look at every day, living in a constant loop can drive you a little nuts.  Therefore, to break up the monotony, I have been trying to get out of the house for walks whenever possible.  Nico loves the stroller, and we have been super blessed with amazing weather these past couple weeks.  Two weekends ago, I was pleasantly surprised that we were able to take advantage of one of these walks and go out for our first family dinner.  I  put on “real” clothes (the pants are still maternity, but at least they weren’t sweats!), make-up, and even semi-did my hair…that’s as good as it was gonna get that day.  We tried a new place in the neighborhood called Dogwood, which boasts southern comfort food, and was absolutely delicious.  At three and a half weeks, Nico was an angel the entire time.  It was as if he was allowing Zack and I to actually have a date night.  Amazing.  I know they say these “quiet sleeping times” won’t last forever and eventually he will be a toddler and impossible to bring out to dinner, but I am living in the moment, people…living in the moment and loving it.

IMG_0457_Layers_v1

IMG_0433_Layers_v1

IMG_0435_Layers_v1

IMG_0412_Layers_v1

IMG_0462_Layers_v1

IMG_0448_Layers_v1

On me / Shirt: StyleMint – similar / Pants: Motherhood / Shoes: Nordstrom Rack / Bag: ALDO – similar / Watch: Michael Kors / Necklace: Baublebar / Bracelet: Baublebar – similar

On Nico / Shirt and Pants: Carter’s / Socks: Gymboree

Happy Monday everyone!  Have a great week.

XO,

Gina

Milk and Honey

IMG_0003_Layers_v1

A bunch of new restaurants and coffee shops have popped up in our Brooklyn neighborhood of Ditmas Park lately, so we decided to check out this one last Saturday morning.  We met up with a fellow soon-to-be mom at Milk and Honey to discuss the possibility of a nanny share come January.  I love the decor of the space, and the breakfast food and drinks were very yummy.  I anticipate we will be returning in the future!

IMG_0006_Layers_v1

IMG_0007_Layers_v1

IMG_0020_Layers_v1

IMG_0014_Layers_v1

Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Ikat Dress: Borrowed – similar / Tank: Old Navy / Sandals: Dolce Vita / Shades: Vintage / Necklace: Family Heirloom / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Henri Bendel and Baublebar / Nails: Essie Naughty Nautical / Lip: Lancome Fleur Impressioniste

These pics were taken during my 35th week, and today marks week 36.  Eeeek!!

It’s a rainy Tuesday here in the NYC, and I’m wishing I was down in the Outer Banks, NC with my fam at the beach on vacation.  But I certainly have enough to keep me busy here at work this week with two new clients, a potential new hire, and lots more.

Have a good one ya’ll!

XO,

Gina

Enhanced by Zemanta

Maternity Photos By Misa*Me

L65A2864

On the weekend we went back to Maryland for Teri’s bridal shower and Little Monkey’s baby shower, we were lucky enough to squeeze in this maternity photo session with the lovely Marisa Crider of Misa*Me Photography.  I was looking for a sun drenched romantic setting with tall grass for the backdrop of this shoot, and Marisa found the perfect location!  The sun more or less cooperated for some of the time, and we were able to get the beautiful field shots I wanted as well as some surprise shots on a nearby beach.  Marisa never fails to impress with her talents, and she truly captured our excitement for our arriving baby boy.  We cannot wait to meet him and share these photos with him one day.

L65A2914

L65A2932

L65A3050

L65A2942v2

L65A3112v2

L65A3093

L65A3132

L65A3176

L65A3200

L65A3224

L65A3241

Outfit 1: On Me – Dress: Target Maternity / Necklace: Cheerfully Charmed (similar) / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelet: Baublebar / Lip: MAC Venomous Villains Heartless / Baby Shoes: Luvable Friends — On Zack – Button Down and Linen Pants: H&M

Outfit 2: On Me – Dress: Ella Moss via Gilt / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Henri Bendel and Baublebar / Earrings: Borrowed from Misa*Me / Lip: MAC Venomous Villains Heartless — On Zack – Shirt: H&M / Shorts: Target / Shoes: Sanuk – similar herehere, and here

Thank you so much to my amazing cousin, Marisa, for taking these photos for our little family.  We really appreciate it, and cannot wait for our little man to get here!

If you’d like to see more photos from the shoot, then please head on over to Misa*Me Photography to see the rest.

Hope you are all enjoying the week so far.

XO,

Gina

Skirt the Issue

IMG_9940_Layers_v1

Got an ever-growing baby bump, and can’t really wear sweats and a t-shirt to the office?  No problem…skirt the issue!  Luckily, I can pretty much wear whatever I want to work on a daily basis.  However, when I have meetings or lunches with clients or advertising creatives, I do like to look presentable!  This particular day, we were having a birthday lunch at the Mandarin Hotel for my boss and I, who both have our birthdays around the same time.  The meal was delicious, and the view overlooking Central Park was even better.  I scored this outfit at Motherhood Maternity, and both top and skirt are quite comfortable, yet presentable for the workplace.

IMG_9938_Layers_v1

IMG_9942_Layers_v1

IMG_9936_Layers_v1

IMG_9945_Layers_v1

IMG_9947_Layers_v1

Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Skirt: Motherhood Maternity / Top: Motherhood Maternity / Shoes: Sam Edelman via Nordstrom Rack (sold out) – also like these / Sunnies: ModCloth / Bag: Longchamp / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Henri Bendel, Baublebar, Gorjana / Nails: Essie Rock the Boat / Lip: Lancome Groupie

My husband and I had a BUSY weekend.  Unfortunately, we never made it to that Hester Street Fair (don’t worry girls, we will make it before August is through!).  However, we made LOADS of progress on our little boy’s nursery.  I completed all of my thank you cards, Zack installed the carseat and built the stroller.  We figured out how to use all the stroller seats and attachments.  We built the bassinet stand, swing, rock and play, and activity gym.  We cleaned out the entire living room (so we can now sit on the couch), and found a place for almost everything, set up his dressers and started decorating the room.  We decorated his name in wooden letters, adorned an entire wall in monkey and tree decals.  We built a crib…loaded up shelves…I think there is actually more we completed if you can believe it, but my brain is too tired to think straight anymore!  Not to mention my body.  All this while 8 months prego, and a husband running a fever.  I have to say, we were pretty proud of ourselves.

After all our hard work, we decided to treat ourselves to a little dinner out last night at a new restaurant in the neighborhood called Wheated.  They boast fresh Neapolitan pizza.  Let’s just say we will be returning!  This whole area on Church Avenue is actually booming with new businesses and restaurants, so we discovered a whole slew of places that we need to try in the near future.

It’s a gorgeous day in NYC.  If every day in August is like this for the rest of my pregnancy, I promise to never complain!  It’s amazing.  Hope you all had an awesome weekend, and wishing you a very wonderful week ahead!

XO,

Gina

It’s Electric

IMG_9190_Layers_v1

And it’s back to my uniform this summer…the maxi dress!  I scored this one at a discount price from a local spot near my office.  Again, it’s not maternity, which makes me happy because I know I will be able to wear it post-pregnancy.  I love the rainbow of colors on this dress, and it was perfect for a beautiful sunny Saturday family reunion with my Dad’s side of the fam.

IMG_9191_Layers_v1

IMG_9186_Layers_v1

IMG_9200_Layers_v1

IMG_9177_Layers_v1

IMG_9195_Layers_v1

IMG_9214_Layers_v1

Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Maxi Dress: K&G Fashion Superstore – similar / Sunnies: Modcloth / Sandals: Dolce Vita (on sale!) / Necklace: Baublebar / Bracelets: J. Crew, Flair Accessories, ASOS, and c/o Guilty Jean / Watch: Michael Kors / Nails: Essie Turquoise and Caicos / Toes: Essie DJ Play That Song / Lip: MAC Snob

Happy Hump Day everyone!

Girl’s night went off with a hitch last night.  Mucho thanks to my girl Ailie for graciously painting my toes (I can no longer reach them).  I am not a big fan of feet, and not sure I would have jumped at this opportunity had the roles been reversed, so this task was very much appreciated!  We had a great night of nail painting, mud-masking, movie watching, and festival chicken.

This morning I rose early to meet my cousin Seamus for breakfast in the city.  He is in town from Cali to surprise his sister today as she is giving birth to another little baby tomorrow.  So sweet!  The last time I saw him was on his wedding day to my cousin Alex, so it was great to catch up!  So glad we were able to make a little get-together happen this morning.

Hope you are all enjoying the week so far!

XO,

Gina

Skull Tank Revisited

IMG_9260_Layers_v1

You may remember this top from earlier this spring when the weather was still a bit on the chilly side.  I decided to break it out again for summertime while it still covers my baby bump.  I paired it with some mint short shorts and some comfy sneaks for a fun filled family day in Maryland.  We had our belated Father’s Day celebration this past Sunday with both my family and my husband’s, complete with crab cakes (because that’s what Maryland’s all about right?), brisket, chicken, corn on the cob, pasta salad, strawberry salad, beans, homemade tortillas, rolls, ice cream, cake, a musical performance, a little rain, a little sunshine, and a lot of fun.

IMG_9269_Layers_v1

IMG_9265_Layers_v1

IMG_9271_Layers_v1

IMG_9275_Layers_v1

IMG_9280_Layers

Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Skull Tank: Hot Topic – similar / Mint Shorts: Motherhood Maternitynon maternity version / Sneaks: ALDO / Bracelets: c/o Guilty Jean (2), ASOS, Flair Accessories / Watch: Michael Kors / Necklace: c/o Guilty Jean / Chevron Ring: Baublebar / Nails: Essie Turquoise and Caicos / Lip: Korres Guava Lipstick Natural Pink #13

Last night, we went to our final child birth class and learned a lot about breastfeeding and newborn care.  I’m really glad we decided to take the class, and now we feel a lot more confident going into the whole birthing experience.  Tonight, I am joining the ladies for a spa night in complete with manicures, pedicures, and facials!  Whoo!  Nothing like a little mid-week pampering.  The rest of the week, I plan on relaxing, and getting ready to travel back down to Maryland again for my friends Kurt and Tiffany’s wedding on the Eastern Shore!  Shortly after returning from that trip, we head off to Maine for our last mini vacay of the summer.  Fun times ahead!

Hope you all are stayin’ cool this Tuesday.

XO,

Gina