family Archives - Page 3 of 15 - Popcorn and Pandas

Sporty Spice

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Sweater: Express / Tank: Old Navy / Jeans: Rag & Bone / Shoes: New Balance / Hat: Baltimore Orioles / Necklace: Love Lori Michelle

It’s tough to find the time to get in an outfit shoot these days, especially with the cold weather with two little ones when your husband is the photographer. I promise I still get dressed…sometimes. Well, at least on weekends. But enough with the excuses. We made it happen last weekend. A casual outfit for a casual day…brunch at Bar Bacon (amaze!), the playground, and a walk through Central Park. The kids both slept through brunch, so it was kind of like a date. It was nice to get into Manhattan and have the kids feel the magic of the city and the tall buildings, but also to escape to our favorite city sanctuary of Central Park.

Since I am generally in workout gear during the week these days, I normally dress up a little more over the weekends. But I felt like going for that sporty look with the sneakers and baseball cap. It’s not my typical go-to style, but it felt right for the day and felt comfortable for what we had planned. I even had a fellow mom strike up a convo with me on the playground because of my Baltimore O’s hat. She was a former Marylander as well. See, not everyone in NY is a Yankees fan 😉 You can take the girl out of Maryland…

…but she will still sing the Star Bangled Banner with an “O!” (All you Maryland people know EXACTLY what I’m talking about! And everyone else is like huh?)

I digress…speaking of my hometown…we will be heading back there on Friday after the boy’s doc appointments (6 and 2.5 yr. check ups already!). Saturday we will be celebrating my baby boy Luca as he will be officially welcomed into the Church! Very excited to celebrate his special day, which he will also share with his Papa who is turning 35! Looking forward to a day of family, friends, and celebration!

Hope you are all having a fantastic week!

XO,

Gina

Oscar Favs 2016

Well, I may not have made it to the movie theatre once to see any of this year’s Oscar nominations…when you have a new baby, everything is on Netflix! I will have to add all of these films to my queue. However, I did have time to catch most of the Oscars including the Red Carpet. Cate Blanchett has my absolute favorite look of the night. I think she looks incredibly stunning! Below are the rest of my favorites from the night in no particular order.

88th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals — Julianne Moore in Chanel

Maria Menuounos — Maria Menounos in Christian Siriano

Saorise Ronan — Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein

Which Red Carpet look is your favorite? Or do you have a different favorite look that did not make this list? Please share! 🙂

We had a great family weekend with a nice brunch in the city followed by some adventures in Central Park. It was a beautiful day and such a nice little tease for spring! Busy busy week ahead prepping for our upcoming trips to Maryland this weekend for Luca’s Baptism and our cruise to the Caribbean the following weekend. Lots to do before we leave!

Today starts block 3 of P90X3 for me, and I’m super excited to be 2/3 of the way through the program. Although slightly sad that it’s coming to an end this month, because I am really enjoying it!

Make it a great week everyone! And Happy LEAP Year!

XO,

Gina

{38} Lately…

Live Fully

Lately I’ve been…

reading Creativity Inc. – slowly but surely.

writing Emails to plan out Luca’s upcoming Baptism. Looking forward to this amazing celebration!

listening Still listening to the “Happier” podcast by Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft. I am catching up on all the past episodes, and I am still absolutely loving it.

thinking About ideas for my next free challenge group. Any requests?

smelling Tomato sauce and garlic. Mmmm…

watching The Bachelor. GUILTY as charged.

wearing Loose, comfy layers that make it easy to nurse and run around with the babes.

feeling Super excited about our upcoming CRUISE to the Caribbean! Thank you Beachbody! So excited that I am able to treat my boys to this amazing trip 🙂

wanting To go shopping for some new resort wear! I LOVE summer clothing!

needing To stick to those workouts! This mama will be getting in a bikini soon for the first time since baby #2! Eeep!

loving How STRONG I have become since starting P90X3. It’s amazing how easily I can knock out some pushups these days. Pull-ups are still another story, but I am getting better, and I’m even knocking out new yoga poses with this program, and I only just started Block 2!

wishing To relive last Friday night’s date night! It was so wonderful to have a night out to dinner with the hubs for the first time in Brooklyn since having Luca. We have decided that date night is going to be a weekly thing for us (either at home or out…point being…quality time). So far we have stuck to it, and it’s been awesome. I think it’s so crucial to make sure to get that time with each other, especially when you have so much else going on with kids, work, etc.

hoping To find some more fun indoor activities to do with my toddler, Nico, through the rest of the winter season. I have been searching Pinterest, but if you have any fun ideas that have been a hit at your house lately, please send them along!

craving Salty snacks! Anyone have any good, healthy options?

clicking For Valentine’s Day and Birthday gifts for the hubs. It’s double whammy season over here! 😉

HAPPY TUESDAY!

What have you been up to lately?

XO,

Gina

Vision

Vision.

“a vivid mental image, especially a fanciful one of the future”

We all have vision in some way, shape or form…a view inside our minds of how we want the future to look. We can’t predict the future, but we CAN envision it. Many times our vision can get cloudy. We forget WHY we are doing something or where we want to go. We get distracted by the many things in life pulling us in different directions. Sometimes we aren’t quite sure where we want to go…and we really need to sit down and think about what it is that we want or how it is that we can get there.

This is an exercise that a year ago I would have laughed at if someone told me I should do it. I didn’t really understand the value in it, thought it was a little bit silly, and even a waste of my precious time. But I have come to appreciate the value in SEEING my vision and putting it down on paper (or on electronic paper in this case…although I do recommend printing it out and putting it where you can see it each day!) By having a physical copy of my vision there is no chance I will forget those goals I have set for myself…no way that I can get lost in the shuffle of the day to day and let my vision get left behind in the fog.

At first it was scary mapping out this vision…even writing this now, I am scared to hit the publish button. Who the hell do I think I am to achieve this? Will people think I’m crazy? Will they laugh at me? Will they think there is no way she will be able to do that in a year? WHAT IF I FAIL????

But the more I think about it…it doesn’t matter what other people think. This is my journey and my life, and I only have one…so why not DREAM BIG and make the most of each moment. And while I will work my tush off to achieve this vision…so what if I don’t quite get there this year? It’s all about the journey and growing as a person at the end of the day right?

So…here goes…(deep breath)…my VISION BOARD for 2016.

2016 Vision Board

May you set out to reach YOUR full potential this year, and may your vision become your reality. Believe in yourself and believe that anything is possible. That’s my motto for this year, and I’m stickin’ to it! 😉

XO,

Gina

2015 in Review

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A lot has happened in this past year…

I embarked on a new career as a health & fitness coach last January and I have since been able to help over 120 challengers to reach their goals and 8 coaches to build a business of their own. I am continuing to help those who want to make changes in this brand new year.

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I found out I was pregnant with our second child in January, and we did a fun little photo shoot in Prospect Park to find out we were expecting a BOY!

Baby Notes 2 Announcement

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I felt a little bit tougher this time around during my pregnancy and made my health and fitness a big priority for both myself and my family.

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We took a trip to Tulum, Mexico as a family and it was a crazy fun adventure.

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I rocked a two piece dress during my pregnancy which Lord knows I never thought would happen! I also rocked a bikini.

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I came up with a post all about exercises during pregnancy which many of you read and loved…I call them pregercises.

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I had some fun collaborations with both Stella & Dot and Irresistible Me…I have to say I am obsessed with Stella & Dot jewelry, and I can now FINALLY use a curling iron without butchering my hair!

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Before & After

I surprised my husband with a trip to the NOLA for our 4 year wedding anniversary.

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We had an adorable family maternity photo shoot with my phenomenal cousin and professional photographer Misa Me.

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We took our annual lake trip over the summer…this time we landed in Seneca Lake in the Finger Lake region of Upstate New York.

I also traveled 8 months pregnant to Nashville for the annual Beachbody Summit, and met my fabulous team of coaches in person to share a phenomenal life-changing experience. I also broke it down on the CIZE dance floor. (yes I was the awkward dancing pregnant lady)

My beautiful baby Luca was brought into the world and our world was forever changed for the better. This kid is the smiliest, happiest baby I have ever met and we are so in love.

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My Nico Bonzo turned TWO this year with a TMNT b-day party. He started preschool, has become so independent, is making friends, and having full conversations these days. He astonishes me daily with how much memory he can retain in that little brain of his. I know he is destined for great things.

Nico NY Metro Parents

I started my own 21 Day Fix journey to get back to my pre-baby, healthy, active self again, and so far things are going really well. I told myself I would not wait so long like I did with my first babe to get back into shape, and I have stuck to my word.

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We have celebrated many beautiful friends getting married this past year and wonderful holidays together with family. We are so very lucky and I am thankful for my blessings each and every day.

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Misa Me Family Christmas

(Photo by Misa Me Photography)

I look forward to what 2016 has to offer, and I am wishing you all a happy, healthy New Year!

XO,

Gina

Sparkly Season

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Sparkly Tank: Forever 21 (old) – similar / White Blazer: Target (old) – similar / Leggings: Target – similar / Ankle Booties: H&M – similar / Hat: Habit (boutique in Brooklyn) / Lip: MAC Rebel

‘Tis the season of SPARKLE!!!! This was supposed to be my New Year’s Eve outfit, but I got excited and wore it on Christmas Eve instead. I planned on wearing my red dress, but decided I wanted to feel a little more casual…but not TOO casual. So I managed to dress up black leggings with nothing else other than a little sparkle, blazer, and a hat. And who knew my aunt would be bringing hats for each one of the gals at the party for a “funny hat” photo?! Guess I had a sixth sense or something…

Christmas was a blast as usual with lots of family craziness, keeping kids up late, some crankiness, tons of presents, cookies galore, and much much more. We had a great time…I wish it hadn’t felt like such a rush through it all. Nico really enjoyed himself and it was amazing just seeing all the excitement in his eyes. Oh how I love the magic of Christmas! Luca slept through most of the excitement of his 1st Christmas, but he was mostly his smiley self when awake (except when we kept him up past bedtime LOL.)

This week I am hoping to relax a little more, see some more family and friends, get back into a workout routine, ramp up some work time…and maybe even get a little date night or something. It’s hard with two kids, but we’re trying!

Hope you are all enjoying this wonderful holiday season!

XO,

Gina

Falling Leaves & Wedding Bells

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I am SO incredibly excited to share these photos from my BFFs wedding last month. I only wish I had MORE that I could have taken, but since I was IN the wedding, I suppose I will let their REAL photographer get all the best shots. But regardless, here is a little sneak peek of the day. It was SUCH a gorgeous fall day. Meg looked absolutely stunning beyond belief. The colors were off the charts unreal…and did I mention they had Italian cookies? Like…the RAINBOW ones?!?!

All cookies aside…it was an amazing day for an amazing couple, and I am so excited for these two to share the rest of their lives together. I have never seen either of them so happy, and I know they are in for a fantastic life long journey together. Their love is apparent and it definitely shines through in these photos as much as it did on their wedding day.

Congratulations Meghan & Patrick! Love you both.

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Wedding Venue: Hunt Valley Golf Club in Hunt Valley, MD / Hair: Creations a la Nikki / Cake: Takes the Cake Catering and Event Planning / DJ: Jacob Jensen / Wedding Dress: The Bridal Boutique / Bridesmaids Dresses: Bill Levkoff in Cranberry / Flowers: Janda Florist

So can we celebrate again??? Such a fun day and night was had by all. Looking forward to seeing this fabulous couple again over the holidays as Mr. & Mrs.! MUAH!

Happy Friday everyone! Spread a little love and laughter this weekend, huh?

We are going to see SANTA tomorrow! Whoo!

XO,

Gina

Take Me Home

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Long Sleeved Rugby Polo: Ralph Lauren (old) / Blazer: Piperlime (old) / Denim: Rag & Bone / Boots: Target | on Luca: Overalls & Button Up Onesie from Carters

These photos were taken over Thanksgiving weekend on an unusually nice, warm day outside at my parent’s house where I grew up. There is something comforting in the fact that my parents still live in the house where I was born and raised. That familiar smell when you walk in…the same hand-sewn curtains hanging in my old bedroom window…the fact that I can still maneuver around in the pitch black dark and not run into the walls since I am just so familiar with every nook and cranny of this comforting abode. Staying up way too late past my bedtime, just because I am there and you know Dad will always be up (or asleep) in his chair before you hit the hay. Walking around those 2.5 acres of land and breathing in those fresh country smells of grass and trees…maybe even some horses down the road. It strangely smelled like spring there on this particular day. The familiar old tractor, the old shed, and that same spot to hang the hammock in the backyard. While things have certainly been updated since my childhood, I love that sense of comfort and security I feel when I am there. It’s nice that I am able to bring my children here to have a similar experience, much like I had in my grandparent’s house where my Dad grew up. Nico is always so excited when we arrive. He knows exactly what toys will be there, where his chair is, and the places he loves to roam outside already. It makes me smile to know although we live 4 hours away, he still feels that same sense of comfort that I do at his Mimi and Nano’s house. I am looking forward to when my little Luca will feel the same. If my dear parents are reading this, I hope they know they can never move away 😉

XO,

Gina

{37} Lately…

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Lately I’ve been…

reading Prayers for the Advent wreath and my new Advent calendar which was gifted to me last year.

writing I honestly wish I could say Christmas cards, but alas I am behind this year…it might be one of those “Happy New Year” card years…hopefully I can get my act together!

listening To the podcast, “Happier” by Gretchen Rubin. I loved her book “The Happiness Project” and someone recently suggested I check out her podcast. I am HOOKED!

thinking About Christmas lists and gifts. And that it’s also about time I start shopping. Eeep! What are your favorite places to shop for the holidays?

smelling Christmas cookie candles and the beautiful smell of pine from my Christmas tree. ‘Tis the season!

watching Recently watched the movie Pans Labyrinth. Weird. Just weird.

wishing You all a Happy Holiday season!!!

hoping For clear roads, clear skies, and safe travels on our road trip tomorrow.

wearing This stunning new dress from ASOS. Looking forward to wearing it for the first time at a wedding this weekend. May also be the perfect Christmas Eve dress. Since this one is out of stock, here is another beauty.

loving That the Holly station is back on Sirius/XM Radio. It’s gonna be a jolly ol’ car ride tomorrow! (My Jewish husband hates me right now…)

wanting More days in December! I have so many fun holiday traditions I want to partake in from parties to light shows, train shows, a visit to Santa, and more. It doesn’t seem like there is enough time to enjoy it all!

needing To start packing yet again. I don’t mind the traveling and the driving so much as I mind all the packing!

feeling Snuggly. Christmas jammies anyone?

craving Cookies! Here are some healthier holiday cookie options for you this year.

clicking On one of my favorite websites to shop for sweet gifts and deals.

HAPPY THURSDAY!

What have you been up to lately?

XO,

Gina

Mad for Plaid

Buffalo Plaid Button Down Pop-Over: Target (on sale!) / Black Leggings: Target / Booties: H&M (old) – similar / Lip: MAC Up the Amp

I can never get enough plaid during the fall and winter months, and this flannel pop over from Target is super comfy. Button downs are also a staple uniform clothing item these days as I am nursing my little one and need easy access hehe. What are your go-to fall wardrobe items?

Spending a short week here in NY and then heading back to MD again on Friday for the wedding of a childhood friend and his beautiful fiancé. Busy busy as usual! Very much looking forward to this event as they are essentially family of mine 🙂

Hope you are all having a great week so far!

XO,

Gina