Ditmas Park Archives - Page 2 of 2

First Family Dinner Out

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.

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

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!

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

Skirt the Issue

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.

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

Lake House

Happy Monday everyone! Just wanted to share some photos from our lake house that we stayed in at Branch Lake in Elsworth, Maine. The location could not be beat, and it was a dream come true. I took these on our first full day when we played on the lake all day. If you’ve never been to Maine, I would definitely suggest you check it out. Thanks to the Shaw family for opening up their cottage to us as the first renters ever!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

The hubby went away with his brother for a guy’s weekend, so my sister-in-law came to visit me in Brooklyn. We did girly/mom things like prenatal massages, high tea, hung out with college girlfriends, dinner, and brunches. The massage was phenomenal and extremely relaxing. Just what the doctor ordered. We went to Massage Williamsburg on recommendation, and it sure was a treat! Our delicious dinner was Korean BBQ at Dokebi, and we had brunch in my hood at Costello Plan. It was a lot of fun bumping both of our prego bellies together (me at 31.5 weeks and her at 29 weeks!), talking about baby things, catching up on life, and being girly. Looking forward to both my little one and my little nephew who will be arriving so closely together. It’s a really exciting time for the Notes Family!

XO,

Gina

Weekend Snaps

Wanted to share a few photos from the past couple weekends we have spent in NYC. It’s been nice to actually be in town for a bit and enjoy this amazing city!

My awesome soccer team at our championship BBQ in Williamsburg, BK

A little corn hole action…

Taking a walk in the neighborhood with our neighbors

Pretty little house in the ‘hood

View of Coney Island from my beach chair…

Brighton Beach – so happy to be at the Ocean!

Toes in the sand (Wearing Essie DJ Play That Song)

It’s been so nice and super relaxing these past few weekends staying in town and enjoying this city in which we live. I often think about how lucky we are to be in such an urban place with so much to offer in terms of food, theatre, culture, events, and more. And in addition to this crazy metropolis, how is it possible that we still have the ocean only 4 miles away from our home? For me it is the best of both worlds, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Hope you all had a great weekend, and wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

XO,

Gina

Skulls Meet Spring

It was a beautiful weekend, and I had the pleasure of hosting two of my favorite Baltimore blondes at our place on Saturday. We spent the day galavanting around Brooklyn and Manhattan…brunch at The Farm, followed by a day of shopping in Soho, & gelato and hot chocolate in Little Italy. Much to our surprise, we came home with our wallets full and bag-less. If you know us, you know this is not normal. However, it was probably for the best. We had planned to go out on the town that night, but we ended up passing out early from all the walking around we did.

The flowers in these photos make me happy, because it’s actually starting to feel and look like Spring around here! We also thought it was a nice bright contrast to my dark and stormy outfit.

Photos by: Nichole Cohen

Skull Tank: Hot Topic (now on sale!) / Leather Jacket: Wilsons Leather (old) – similar / Black Skinnies: Motherhood Maternity / Combat Boots: Steve Madden ( now on sale!) / Bag: Rebecca Minkoff – sold out, but a variety of other colors available at Saks / Headband: (old) – similar / Watch: Betsey Johnson – sold out, but check out Betsey’s other watches on her website / Bracelets: ASOS, Wanderlust + Co., c/o Flair Accessories / Necklace: c/o Guilty Jean / Ring: Forever 21 / Lip: Nars Born This Way gloss

Last night, the hubby and I went to see one of our favorite indie rock singer-songwriters perform, Matt Costa. Let me tell you, this man is talented. He plays the piano, harmonica, three different guitars, and has a voice that will make you melt. His laid back style is very inviting and his tunes range in variety from bluegrass, folk, rock, and more. Some of my personal favorites include: Miss Magnolia, Sunshine, & Mr. Pitiful. He also has a lot of good tracks on his new album. Check out some of his videos here.

Tonight, I am treating myself to a little mani-pedi with the other NY Alpha Phi Alums, and I cannot wait. It will be the first pedi of the season, and boy do I need it!

On a heavier note, I am glad that my friends and family in Boston are safe and sound. I am praying for all those who were affected by this tragedy. I will never understand it, and it saddens me. Sending love to Boston today.

XO,

Gina

Morning After Nemo

These photos were taking the morning after the big snow storm, Nemo, hit in Brooklyn. I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood, and was surprised to find how quickly everything was plowed and shoveled. It was a beautiful sunny day with the light reflecting off the fresh snow. Overall, it was a quiet, relaxing little walk…a nice little break to otherwise hibernating that weekend. Enjoy.

Today I am enjoying the day off at home thanks to our American Presidents. Catching up on laundry, cleaning, tv, and blogging. Hoping to get the chance to take some more photos today as well.

Happy President’s Day!

XO,

Gina

Sir Mix A Lot

Here is the full outfit from my lunch date you saw on the blog yesterday. This post is all about mixing. I have mixed pretty much everything you can imagine here–colors, prints, metals, hard spikes with soft bows–yet somehow it all seems to come together and work. Although mixing can seem a little bit intimidating, it is a great way to get the most out of your wardrobe. The more combinations, the more outfits to rock. For some ideas on how to mix prints, check out this “How To” from Refinery 29.

Photos by: Zack Notes

Sweater: GAP / Tank: J. Crew / Pants: H&M / Bag: ALDO – similar / Shoes: Nordstrom Rack / Coat: Tulle via Nordstrom – similar / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: BaubleBar and ASOS / Necklace: Family Heirloom / Lip: MAC Venomous Villains Cruella de Vil Heartless / Nails: Essie Marshmallow

Lunch Date

Had a nice little day with the hubby over the weekend. Woke up and did some yoga together, relaxed, ate breakfast, and read my book. Then headed out on a little neighborhood stroll on Cortelyou. Had a wonderful lunch at Mimi’s, and then browsed around at a few new shops that have opened up. It seems our little Ditmas Park is growing and growing.

Where’s Waldo? Tee from Urban Outfitters

photo-6 — Semolina pancakes with honey, mint, and strawberries.

My favorite house in Ditmas Park. I like to call it the “Gingerbread House.”

photo-8 — Lots of new shops on Cortelyou. Check out the Brooklyn Artery and support your locals!

photo-7 — New hat from the Brooklyn Artery.

In addition, today, I would like to send some love and prayers down to Maryland in memory of my dear Aunt Sylvia. She passed away last week, and unfortunately, I was unable to make it down for the services. She was a wonderful lady with admirable strength and courage. She had a fantastic sense of humor and could always make you laugh. In addition, I will always remember the quilt she made me for my room growing up. She was very talented. My thoughts and prayers go out to all my family and cousins who are remembering her today. Love you all.

XO,

Gina