Bright & Sunny {With Stella & Dot Part 2}

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This past weekend, our little family of three (almost four) decided to escape the city for a little fresh air in Upstate NY. We explored the town of Beacon and settled down at a nice little spot on the Hudson that we found on Airbnb in the town of Rosendale. It was a lot of fun to tour around some unfamiliar places, try new restaurants, window shop, and hike new trails. The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail was a perfect hike for a prego mama and a newly hiking toddler. Nice and flat! We had a gorgeous view of the trestle bridge right across from our place, and the town of Rosendale was only steps away. It was a lovely get-a-way and it was so nice to spend some time in the great outdoors.

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Dress: Old Navy / Sun Hat: Snagged on my trip to Mexico – similar here / Shoes: Cynthia Vincent / Sunnies: Vintage / Watch: Michael Kors (now on sale) / Lip: Revlon Hydrangea / City Slim Clutch, Rebel Pendant & Ring, Bianca Earrings (can be worn multiple ways!), Wanderer Cuff, Pave Triangle Cuff, & Eden Bangle: All on loan from Stella & Dot

This is Part 2 of my Spring/Summer photo shoot with Stella & Dot. I have had my eye on this Rebel Pendant for almost a year now, and now there is also an amazing Rebel Ring to match.  I am also in love with this City Slim Clutch in the metallic color. It’s super chic, and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Shop the shoot here at my online trunk show, and keep in mind that today is the LAST day to guarantee shipping for Mother’s Day! The rest of this collection is fabulous, so you will definitely want to check it out. Trust me, mom will approve! Shoppers will be entered to win free jewelry and pieces at 50% off.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and I hope you get a chance to get outside today and enjoy this sunshine!

XO,

Gina

{23} Lately…

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Lately I’ve been…

reading  The Happiness Project by Gretchin Rubin.  I am two chapters in, and I’m already thinking about what I could do to be happier.  I am totally with Gretchen in the fact that I am already happy…but I agree that there is no reason to not be the happiest you can possibly be.  So far, it’s been pretty thought provoking, and I’ve already thought about so many little changes I could make that would add up to a big difference.

writing  RSVP’s.  Wedding and baby shower season has officially begun.

listening  I’m guessing this will be the “song of the summer” – #SELFIE by the Chainsmokers

thinking  It will be strange to celebrate Easter without my Uncle this year…at the same time, I am excited to celebrate another 1st holiday for my little man, Nico.  Thoughts on painting Easter eggs vs. dyeing them this year?

smelling  Garlic and onions and a sweet smelling tomato sauce.  Mmm.

watching  Dallas Buyer’s Club.  So happy I finally got to see this Oscar Nominated film.  I can’t believe how far Mathew McConoughey has come in his career.  Bravo.

wishing  A Happy Birthday to my {might as well be} brother-in-law, Adam.  Hope you and your Mama had a great time celebrating yesterday!

hoping  That my child will learn to take a nap in his crib.  He’s starting to sit up in and grow out of the swing (I know, we were able to use this a lot longer than most, and it has served us well).  It’s starting to get to the point where he will only nap in the stroller, and that isn’t always an option!

wearing  Dresses!  It’s now warm enough that I don’t have to bundle in pants every day.  I love wearing free flowing dresses in the spring and summer seasons, and I am particularly loving these daytime dresses from Free People.

loving  The amazing weather that we had over the weekend!  We went on multiple walks, enjoyed the Brooklyn Smorgasbord, had a night out at the beer garden, and relished in the sunshine.  Nico also had his first adventure in a swings last weekend, which was a ton of fun!

laughing  At Nico’s current method of transportation.  After a few failed attempts at crawling, he has resorted to scooting while sitting up.  It’s hysterical.  

wanting  A pedicure.  It’s almost flip flop season people, and these puppies are not ready for open-toed shoes.

needing  To baby proof our apartment.  You don’t realize the potential dangers of your home until you have a little one almost on the move.  We ordered a few things from Amazon including thesethese, and these.  If anyone has any suggestions in this department, they are welcome!

feeling  Very behind at photo editing.  Between keeping up with work, a baby, this blog, mealtimes, and an attempted social life, my personal photos have been severely neglected.  I still have to edit our family Christmas photos and ones from Nico’s Baptism.  I keep setting time slots to do it, and something “more important” and time sensitive arrises.

craving  Coconut sorbet.  I have been cutting back a bit on dairy currently, because I think it might be having a slight impact on my babe’s digestion.  I tried out almond milk for the first time, which is surprisingly decent, and coconut sorbet has become my new best friend (because a girl has to satisfy that sweet tooth).

clicking  Over on the Merch website.  Love these stamped necklaces, and would love to get one that says “Ditmas Park.”

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What have you been up to lately?

Also, congratulations to readers, Rachel and Joyce!  You have each won a $35 credit to Stella & Dot jewelry for shopping the trunk show!  You have also won an additional piece at 50% off.  Check your e-mail later today for details.

Hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Gina

***I was inspired by Tina of Like Ordinary Life to create this post, and she was inspired by Lauren of siddathornton, who started The Sunday Currently.

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Popcorn Picks + Online Trunk Show

Popcorn Picks {Stella & Dot Jewelry & Accessories}
All items – Stella & Dot
Well, friends, it’s Friday!  It’s also the perfect day for a quick little lunch hour shopping spree.  My online trunk show for Stella & Dot is still going, and I thought I would create a little wish list of picks for inspiration!  These are some of my favorite pieces from the line; some edgy, some bright, some fun, and some classic.  There is still time to shop and win a chance to score your favorite piece for free or at 50% off!   While I would love to own every one of these pieces for myself, Stella & Dot also makes a great gift for a birthday, bridal shower, anniversary, or Mother’s Day.  This is just a small peek into what they have to offer, so be sure to check out the site and browse around at the rest of their goodies.  In case you missed my earlier posts, you can also check out the shoot I did with Stella & Dot to see what some of their items look like in action (look 1 / look 2).  If you have any questions about the line, you can ask me or stylist, Jessica Sigler.  We are happy to help!
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
XO,
Gina

Stella & Dot {Sneak Peek} And Trunk Show

I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with Stella & Dot to showcase their new spring line of jewelry and accessories!  With the freezing cold temperatures these past couple months, I am so eager for spring and especially for an updated wardrobe.  Stylist, Jessica Sigler, and I took advantage of the one warm day we had these past few weeks to take a walk around the neighborhood and capture these looks.  Here is a sneak peek from the shoot!

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Their new spring line is amazing, with one-of-a-kind statement pieces, pops of color, versatility, and twists on modern classics.  There were so many beautiful options, that I really had trouble narrowing down the pieces I wanted to feature.  Aside from their stunning jewelry, they have recently added bags, wallets, scarves, and tech accessories to their collection.

I am also super excited to announce that I will be hosting an online trunk show starting Monday March 10.  Readers who shop through my trunk show will be entered to win free jewelry and pieces at 50% off!

Looking forward to sharing the rest of the photos from our shoot next week, so stay tuned!

Happy Weekend!

XO,

Gina

Sweet November

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So, when I had to remove my white blazer the other day, it was pretty chilly out, and I had nothing left but short sleeves.  In my attempt to keep warm, we stumbled into a little boutique in Park Slope, Brooklyn called Habit.  It was my first time in the store, and I was quite delighted!  It was filled with lots of stylish clothing, jewelry, and great accessories at prices that don’t break the bank.  I found this sweater wrap to keep me warm and decided to throw in this hat while I was at it.  I’m sure they will both get plenty of wear this season and next.

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Photos By: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Hat: Habit / Sweater: Habit / Shirt: Urban Outfitters (old) / Pants: Motherhood / Booties: Target / Bag: Rebecca Minkoff – sold out, but love this burgundy one on sale for fall! / Watch: Betsey Johnson / Bracelets: Guilty Jean and Wanderlust + Co. / Earrings: Swarovski Crystal / Necklace: Family Heirloom / Lip: Lancome Fearless

I am just about finished packing for our trip to Florida!  Looking forward to a relaxing trip with my parents and grandmother at her condo in St. Pete Beach.  We leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow and will be gone through Monday of next week, so you probably won’t be hearing much from me until we get back.  Until then, you can follow our adventures on Instagram!

XO,

Gina

Horsing Around

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Photos by: Melissa DiGiulian / Edited by: Myself

Horse Sweatshirt: J. Crew – also like this one / Lace Skirt: American Eagle (old) similar here and here / Flats: Go Jane (old) – similar / Sunnies: ModCloth / Watch: Betsey Johnson (old) – also like this one / Earrings, Necklace, and Bracelet: Gifted / Ring: Forever 21 / Lip: MAC Snob

These photos were taken last Friday after a little Mommy Hour sesh at Bar Chord in Ditmas Park with my fellow new moms in the neighborhood.  Yes, it’s perfectly acceptable to take your baby to a bar in Brooklyn…so long as you go before the regular patrons get out of work for regular happy hour time.  Haha.  It was a beautiful day, and their back garden was open, so a group of us got together for some drinks, snacks, baby talk, and funny stories.  I’m very fortunate to have met these wonderful ladies and their adorable babies, and looking forward to more adventures to come as they grow.

Have a happy one ya’ll!

XO,

Gina

Happy 1st Birthday to Popcorn and Pandas

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Would you believe that today marks one whole year that I decided to make the change to my little ole blog, popcorn and pandas?  I know, I can’t believe it either.  It’s been a crazy year full of adventures and travel, fashion and fun, pregnancy and now a new baby.  It’s been wonderful and therapeutic to have this creative outlet to share with you all, and I am completely grateful that you all have chosen to follow along for this past year.

Below I have reflected a bit on some of your favorite posts this past year:

My first two outfit posts with the amazing photographer Marisa

Reminiscing a Rockin’ Summer

Reminiscing Rockin Summer

Summer Stripes

Summer Stripes

Lettered sweaters were my jam

Amaze

Sported my favorite Halloween costume

Hunger Games

Rang in the New Year in Winter White

Winter White

Foxes became super trendy

Foxy Lady

I had some ups and downs, announced my pregnancy, and did a cool photo shoot with Justin to find out the sex of our Little Monkey

It's A BOY

I added some Flair to my wardrobe

Flair Promenade

Craved everything peplum

Navy Peplum and Black

Felt a little Guilty

Guilty Spring

I ate my first mangosteen

Mangosteen

Went to Arizona and saw the Grand Canyon

Desert Florals

Grand Canyon

I made some waves with Waveborn

Waveborn

Made fresh homemade tomato sauce and pesto from the garden

Tomato Sauce

Pesto

Enjoyed the sunrise on Branch Lake in Maine

Branch Lake Sunrise

Watched as my belly grew larger and larger

Neon

Retro Rainbow

Electric

Beachy Keen

And gave birth to a beautiful baby boy

Nico

It’s been such a great year, and I am hopeful that this year will bring even greater joy.  Thank you so much for following my adventures.  Would love to hear any feedback that you have of things you want to see from me in the coming year.  What you like/don’t like.  What you want to see more or less of (outfit posts, lately posts, shopping posts, personal stories, photography, baby stuff, etc…)  I have less free time on my hands, but hopefully I can make things happen!

Happy Friday everyone!!!

XO,

Gina

{14} Lately…

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34 Weeks

Lately I’ve been…

reading  Just finished The Sh!t No One Tells You: A Guide to Surviving Your Baby’s First Year by Dawn Dais.  I’m not sure whether or not it was a good idea or a bad idea to read this book.  It was quite terrifying, although I suppose I am grateful for the dose of reality and preparations.  Just started reading Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan.  Stumbled across it last week while browsing at Barnes and Noble and figured I would read it since I went to Maine this summer.  It’s more of a beach read about family summer drama.

writing  Well technically, I haven’t started yet, because my apartment has been a disaster zone since the baby shower, and I haven’t even been able to sit on the couch.  HOWEVER, I plan on starting to write out some thank you notes this weekend for all of the lovely gifts we received from our family and friends.

listening  I think I am late on this song, but I heard it a few weeks ago, and honestly it reminds me of my grandfather who always used to say, “You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone.”  Ain’t that the truth, Grandpa.  The song is Cups by Anna Kendrick from the movie Pitch Perfect.

thinking  That every time I think my belly can’t possibly get any bigger…I wake up, and it’s bigger.

smelling  The Victoria’s Secret Dream Angels Heavenly that I put on this morning.

watching  The Challenge: Rivals II.  I know it’s ridiculous that I still follow these shows, but I just can’t get enough of the drama that unfolds with every new season of a challenge.  I also constantly wonder how I would measure up in these challenges.  Something tells me I would give those girls a run for their money.

wishing  That I could fly out to Missouri to celebrate my friend’s Cris and Kate’s big day this weekend!  This is the second big wedding we have missed this year, and it’s definitely a bummer to not be there, even though I know it’s for a good reason.  Wishing Cris and Kate a magical day and lots of love!

hoping  To make a lot of progress on our little boy’s room this weekend.  I’m really excited for my vision of how it will look when it’s finished, but it’s a long process to get there!  I’m hoping we can get a good chunk done this weekend.  Am I in nesting mode perhaps?

wearing  Mint green shorts and a gray and orange striped top (different color here), both from Motherhood Maternity.

loving  The maternity session photos that Misa*Me Photography took for us!  She gave us a little sneak peek, and I am so excited to share them with you all in the next couple of weeks.  She did a wonderful job, as always.  Stay tuned!

laughing  At this rendition of Ice Ice Baby that my co-worker shared with me earlier this week.  Props to the editor for stringing together 280 movies worth of clips to create this.

wanting  To swing by the Hester Street Fair on the Lower East Side this weekend.  My friends, Nicole and Maria, have a booth this summer for their handcrafted jewelry company, Guilty Jean, who you may remember from these previous posts. (Spring Has Sprung, Preppy With a Twist, Spiked & Studded, and Boho Spring).  Looking forward to checking out their latest line!

needing  Water, water, water.  Hydration is key for this prego mama.

feeling  Alien-like movements coming from my belly.  He’s kicking and squirming more and more every day.  I swear, it’s the weirdest feeling ever that something is alive and moving inside of you!  But it’s also pretty cool.

craving  Watermelon.  Nothing like this delicious fresh fruit on a hot summer day.

clicking  Through resume after resume.  Trying to find someone to fill in for me at work while I’m away.  I think we are getting close to making a decision!

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What have you been up to lately?

Happy Friday!  Hope you all have a great weekend!

Love,

Gina

***I was inspired by Tina of Like Ordinary Life to create this post, and she was inspired by Lauren of siddathornton, who started The Sunday Currently.

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Noteworthy Neon

Noteworthy Neon
1.  River Island Fluro Flower Studs – ASOS / 2.  Colorblock Pillow – Etsy / 3.  Adidas Santiago Watch – Nordstrom / 4.  Rookie Perf Laceless Shoes – Keds / 5. Glow in the Dark Sunglasses – Urban Outfitters / 6.  Kate Spade Patent Pumps – Bergdorf Goodman / 7.  Oversized Boston Bag – Forever 21 / 8.  Marc Jacobs Orange Leather Bracelet – My Wardrobe / 9.  Gorjana Pink Wrap Bracelet – Neiman Marcus / 10.  Mac Candy Yum-Yum – Nordstrom / 11.  Neon Nail Polish – American Apparel / 12.  Glam Punk Spike Necklace – Boticca / 13.  Neon Trim Straw Fedrora – Old Navy / 14.  BCBGeneration Envelope Clutch – Zappos / 15.  Marc Jacobs Blue Dial Watch – Saks / 16.  Bobbi Brown Blue Bell Eyeshadow – Bergdorf Goodman / 17.  Brian Atwood Snake Embossed Pumps – Neiman Marcus / 18.  Cambridge Satchel – Modcloth / 19. Blue Sky Havaianas – Surf Sitch
There’s nothing I love more than a pop of neon to accessorize an outfit.  This spring and summer, neon is all the rage, and these are some of my favorite finds.  The weather has been up and down these past few weeks, and I am looking forward to the days when there will be some steady warmth around here.  These bright colors make me happy and can definitely spice up a neutral look.
I had this post prepared for Friday, but in light of the manhunt in Boston, and us having to travel up there for a wedding that day, I thought it was not appropriate.  It was an insane morning, but we made it to the suburbs of Boston safely.  The wedding ceremony had to be moved because of the lockdown, but the show went on!  My dear friend Jamie got married to his bride Kaitlyn, and it was a beautiful wedding.  Jamie and I have known each other since freshman year of high school, and he was my first guy friend at ASHS.  We’ve been through a lot over the years, and it was awesome to be there to celebrate his big day!  With the craziness going on in Boston, this wedding showed there was still some love in the air.  Stay tuned later in the week for some photos from this event!
Since officials were able to catch the second Boston Marathon bomber, we also got the chance to visit with my college roomie, Danielle, (otherwise known at Stewey…don’t ask) along with her husband and baby.  We had a great time walking around the city with them, going out to eat, and seeing first hand what it’s going to be like for us when our Lil’ Monkey gets here.
Unfortunately, I think I caught a cold over the weekend.  I am home with a nasty little bug today.  I hope you all have a good week ahead.
XO,
Gina

Spiked & Studded {Guilty Jean Series #3}

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I’m now back to my regularly scheduled posts for this week.  Here is my third look for the Guilty Jean series.  This look is a bit edgy and punk rock-ish.  It’s also super comfortable.  So glad the weather is warming up and I can actually think about wearing short sleeves!  Very exciting.

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Top: Forever 21 – similar here, here, and here / Studded Denim Vest: Forever 21 – similar here and here / Pants: Motherhood Maternity / Shoes: ALDO (now on sale!) / Skull and Cross Bracelet: c/o Guilty Jean (on sale!) / Wood Agate Beaded Skull Bracelet: c/o Guilty Jean (on sale!) / Lucky 13 Necklace: c/o Guilty Jean (on sale!) / Watch: Betsey Johnson / Sunglasses: NY Street Vendor

I’m definitely going to have to venture outside at some point today to enjoy this gorgeous weather.  Maybe even head down to watch my soccer team play tonight at Columbus Park.  It’s been awhile since I’ve seen the gang.

Hope you all have a beautiful sunny Tuesday!

XO,

Gina

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