2017 in Review

View More: http://karenskaptures.pass.us/notes

WOW! I can’t believe 2017 is coming to a close. It’s been a year of personal growth, adventure, travel, family moments, and so much more. I learned a lot, and have come up with some exciting ideas to take with me into 2018. I plan to jump even more outside of my comfort zone this upcoming year, and see where the wind blows.

I want to thank each and every one of you this past year for supporting me on this journey…for reading this blog, for joining one of my health + fitness Challenge Groups, for commenting on a Facebook post, direct messaging me on Instagram, watching my IG Stories, giving me all of your advice and feedback on outfit choices or motherhood woes or workouts…or just telling me that you are inspired by a post or that you can relate. It truly means SO much to me. I started this blog and my brand really as a creative outlet a few years ago, but it’s turned into an incredible community which I am so grateful for. So THANK YOU for your continued support, and I hope you continue to take the journey with me in 2018!

Below is a look back at some of my favorite memories and experiences of 2017:

 

Zack and I finally went on a “Paint Night” Date and we loved it

IMG_0944

 

I was obsessed with smoothie bowls:

FullSizeRender (2)

 

I learned a ton about gut health + drank lots of kombucha (I did a LIVE @ 9 Episode on this which you can find on my Facebook page, but I promise to create a blog post on this for 2018 so it’s in written form):

img_1331.jpg

 

Boys both fell in love with soccer just like their mama:

IMG_2386

IMG_2393

 

Helped hundreds of Challengers get on track with their nutrition with these amazing portion control containers:

IMG_1531

Little sis got engaged and asked the entire fam to be in the wedding 🙂 :

img_2422.jpg

Zack and I had a week-long road trip together to Asheville (thanks Mom + Dad!):

IMG_2531

IMG_2594

 

I was able to take the family on an all-expenses paid trip to Punta Cana with Beachbody as a reward trip for my work with the company. To say they had a blast would be an understatement:

IMG_3399

IMG_3492

 

I developed a passion for nut butters lol 😉

IMG_3839

 

Hubby and I did the Ultimate Reset Challenge Plant Based Cleanse program and we learned so much about our bodies, our eating habits, and made many tweaks and changes to our habits going forward (again, I owe you all a full synopsis of this experience in blog post form…coming at you in 2018!):

IMG_4769.PNG

Went to the Dave Matthews Concert with the fam:

IMG_5630

IMG_5633

 

Spent many summer days at the NY Beaches + riding the rides at Coney Island:

IMG_5723

IMG_8303

 

Took Nico on his first roller coaster ride at Hershey Park with the family:

IMG_6393

 

Celebrated our 10 Year NYC Anniversary:

NYC Engagement

 

Went to Rhode Island with the hubs to watch one of my best friends walk down the aisle:

IMG_6717

 

Went to NOLA for my 3rd Beachbody Summit with my amazing team. We continue to grow, and I love training each new person how to become a #boss and build businesses that give them happier, healthier, more fulfilled lives:

IMG_6938

IMG_7018

IMG_7986

Completed multiple workout programs including Shift Shop, T25, Insanity Max 30, and 3 Week Yoga Retreat:

IMG_2137

Celebrated my sister’s Bachelorette Weekend in VA Beach rooftop style:

IMG_8787

 

Luca got his 1st haircut:

IMG_8957

IMG_8959

Nico turned 4 and Luca turned 2 with a Construction themed Birthday Party:

IMG_9120

 

My challengers got amazing results with their fitness + nutrition:

Christie Transformation

86B4DF75-1905-4E8C-A122-FBF6CA6A0780

 

We went on family vacation to Cape May:

View More: http://karenskaptures.pass.us/notes

 

and the OBX:

IMG_9920.JPG

 

Nico started his first year of “real” school through the NYC DOE and is loving Pre-K. Luca started a 2’s playschool co-op, and it was a bit of a transition at first, but he seems to be enjoying it now:

IMG_0367

IMG_0421

We threw at Rainbow Sprinkle Themed Bridal Shower for my sister:

IMG_0234_Layers_v1

 

My little sis and her high school sweetheart finally tied the knot after 13 years:

22310601_10106411438053598_2146557899471833612_n

Took the boys on their first-ever camping trip this fall with good friends:

IMG_2308

 

Had an epic Halloween dressing up like The Wizard of Oz characters:

IMG_2752

 

Did ALL the the holiday things to celebrate the season (and enjoyed my most favorite/stressful time of the year):

IMG_4099

IMG_4607

IMG_4684

IMG_4981

IMG_4946

Welp!!!!

That is a WRAP. Wow. What.a.year.

It’s been a good one full of fantastic memories. Thanks again for your continued support of popcorn and pandas. I appreciate you all SO much. More than you know.

I wish all of you an incredible New Year!!! I cannot wait to see what 2018 has in store.

XO,

Gina

_DSC0128

Outer Banks Vacation Photos

IMG_4818_Layers_v1

IMG_4815_Layers_v1

IMG_4826_Layers_v1

IMG_4844_Layers_v1

IMG_4853_Layers_v1

IMG_6086

IMG_6090

IMG_6144

IMG_6085

Processed with VSCOcam with b1 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

IMG_4887_Layers_v1

IMG_6175

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

IMG_5982

IMG_6070

IMG_6072

IMG_4859_Layers_v1

IMG_5086_Layers_v1

I can’t believe it.  The official start to fall is next week, so I thought I would end this week with some of my favorite photos from our last summer vacation to the Outer Banks, North Carolina.  Hope you enjoy them, and have a great time on this last weekend of the official summer season!

We are headed to Maryland to celebrate our nephew’s 1st birthday and our friend’s child’s 3rd.  Party party!  These kids are growing up too fast!  Time for me to get to packing.

XO,

Gina

Porch Swing

IMG_5017_Layers_v1

IMG_5002_Layers_v1

IMG_4976_Layers_v1

IMG_5007_Layers_v1

IMG_4994_Layers_v1

IMG_4982_Layers_v1

IMG_5029_Layers_v1

IMG_5011_Layers_v1

IMG_4975_Layers_v1

On me: Top: J. Crew / Tank: J. Crew (available in other colors) – also similar here / Shorts: J. Crew (available in other colors here and here) / Sandals: Sam Edelman (sold out, but many color choices here) / Sunnies: Francesca’s (similar) / Necklace: Baublebar (similar) / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Henri Bendel, Baublebar, Stella & Sparkle / Earrings: ALDO / Lip: Lancome Red Haute

On Nico: Bathing Suit Top & Trunks Set: Carter’s

Feeling nostalgic today from our vacation to the Outer Banks.  If you follow me on Instagram, you may have already noticed I’m protesting my post-vacation blues.  The photos above show some of my most favorite times in the OBX.  Doing.  Absolutely.  Nothing.  Relaxation in it’s purest form.  There’s just something about a porch swing at sunset that immediately resets my zen.  After a long day in the hot sun, taking walks and building sandcastles, it feels great to come back to the cottage, have a nice shower, and climb into the porch swing and just sway.  Feeling the breeze as the sun drops down below the horizon brings an immediate feeling of calm and a sense of peacefulness that I haven’t been able to really recreate anywhere else but here.  Sometimes I will even bring a book into the swing and get lost into some other dream world.  This year, I brought Nico onto the swing with me, and for a kid who otherwise at this age is squirmy and adventurous, I was mildly surprised with his ability to just snuggle and relax with me on the swing for awhile.  It was as if he was silently saying, “Oh hey Mom, yeah I could get the hang of this relax in the porch swing thing.”  I’m lucky that my little one still does love to snuggle with me often…usually at night before bedtime.  But as he approaches his first birthday and becomes more independent, I start to see him squiggle away from me more and more as he explores the world around him.  It makes me sad, but at the same time I know he has to grow.  Part of me wants to cling and keep him small forever though and that part of me is going to soak up every moment I can while he is still little enough to be wrapped in my arms cuddling on the porch swing.

XO,

Gina

{26} Lately…

Lately I’ve been…

reading Finished a few good ones recently.  First up was The Fault in Our Stars.  I wanted to read the book before watching the movie.  Of course, it’s predictable and a total tearjerker, but I was pleasantly surprised with how well a male author (John Green) was able to capture the mind of a sixteen year old girl.  Next, I read Dark Places, by Gillian Flynn.  This author never disappoints.  Although the main character, Libby, is a little unlikable in my opinion, Gillian Flynn is always keeping you on your toes with her novels and makes you want more.  Heading to the beach this weekend, so if you have any beach reads to recommend, please do!

writing  A ginormous to-do list of everything I need to get done before our trip to the Outer Banks.  And a packing list.

listening  Summer…my summer anthem by Calvin Harris.  Prepping a little playlist for our road trip.

thinking  That this beautifully written blog post from my friend Sascha really hits home for the working mom.

smelling  The delicious homemade eggplant parm the hubby cooked this week.  Fresh eggplant, tomatoes, and basil from the garden.  Melt in your mouth amazingness.

watching  The Bachelorette finale really threw me for a loop!  I realize I am delayed on watching my shows, so sorry for being late to the party.  I won’t throw out any spoilers for those who may also be behind on their TV watching, but let’s just say I was really surprised!

wishing  Time would slow down a bit.  My little baby is almost a year old already!  I can’t even take it.

hoping  I can pull off this fabulous fishtail braid at the beach next week shown in this tutorial by Nikki.

wearing  Lots of leopard print this week.  Feeling feisty.

loving  The end of summer sales!  ModCloth, Free People, J. Crew, & Zara have some pretty good ones going on right now.

laughing  At how Nico loves to be chased around the house.  I will crawl after him, and he will start crawling away squealing with delight…then come back and start chasing me while laughing.  That belly laugh is enough to get me laughing and smiling all day long.

wanting  To be with my little boy today.  In case you couldn’t tell, I’m missing him a lot while at work this week.  Looking forward to spending a whole week with him at the beach and introducing him to the place I have vacationed since I was a small child.  Also excited that the whole family will be able to see how much he has grown.

needing  A little girl (one day) so I can buy these adorable ribbons from Brit!

feeling  Totally inspired by hometown friend Candice as she becomes the first plus-sized model to appear in next year’s Pirelli calendar.  Doesn’t she look fantastic!!??

craving  Something sweet.  What else is new?

clicking  On 1st birthday party ideas for my little guy.

*

What have you been up to lately?

Hope you are all having a fantastic week!

XO,

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.

Captured in Cape May

IMG_4653_Layers_v1

I’m finally getting around to sharing some more of our Cape May vacation photos.  Some of these were taken on my camera, and some of them are from my Instagram feed, so don’t mind the inconsistency.  My favorite part about Cape May was looking at all the adorable houses, many of which have been converted in Bed & Breakfast Inns.  The architecture actually reminds me of my neighborhood, Ditmas Park in Brooklyn yet even closer to the beach.  I loved that mostly everything was in walking or biking distance and that it was very family oriented.  Many thanks to my mother-in-law and father-in-law for organizing such a fantastic trip!

IMG_4656_Layers_v110390192_10102778264502518_8693529401359264458_n

10435929_10102778990273068_2144106319396591194_n

IMG_4642_Layers_v1

10441379_10102784622795448_8757667935507904354_n

10383004_10102786558990298_7416152944729358570_n

IMG_4659_Layers_v1

IMG_4673_Layers_v1

IMG_4586_Layers_v1

IMG_4670_Layers_v1

1526869_10102785674872078_4622023219681478576_n

IMG_4727_Layers_v1

*Note*  The 2nd baby pictured is my adorable nephew, Nathan!  He and Nico had a great time playing together throughout the week.

Now we are on a countdown to our next family adventure…the Outer Banks!  This is a place my family has been going every summer since I was four.  Last summer, I was hugely pregnant and unable to attend as my due date was creeping up, so I am extremely pumped to not only return to the OBX, but to show Nico how much we all love this place and each other.  My cousins have already started the text chain, and I cannot wait to see them!

Happy Monday!

XO,

Gina

2012: A Year in Review

IMG_3654
Ringing in the New Year in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica!
IMG_3776
Hiking in the Cloud Forest in Monteverde, Costa Rica
IMG_4071
Three Italianos Reunited in Brooklyn!
IMG_4124
Valentine’s Day Surprise at the Mary Poppins Show! I dressed just like her without even knowing.
IMG_4196
Celebrating Zack’s 31st at crazy Mehenata Bulgarian Bar
IMG_0283
OAR Concert with Jack and Sammy
IMG_4205
14 inch hair chop! Bye Bye. Thanks Nikki!
IMG_4722
Sweetlife Festival at Merriweather in MD featuring Avicii…AMAZING.
IMG_4582
Seeing Emily Blunt and Jason Segal at the premiere of 5 Year Engagement at the Tribeca Film Festival
IMG_9548
SKYDIVING!!! Thanks to my amazing husband – he surprised me on our one year anniversary with this bucket list item.
IMG_4732
Dad FINALLY visits us in NY. With Zack, Mom, and cousins at their pasta shop in Brooklyn
IMG_5606
DMB Concert and Upstate NY trip
IMG_5083
Virginia Beach trip with friends for Shirin and Shahrum’s wedding
IMG_5482
Testudo came to Zach and Jessica’s wedding! Go Terps!
IMG_0106
Happy Birthday to ME! Love my new camera!
IMG_5824
Girl’s Weekend in OC for Katie’s Bachelorette – Seacrets is crazy!
IMG_0298
Family vacation in the Outer Banks, NC
IMG_0705
Surfing Competition in the Rockaways
IMG_0880
Dewey Summer Send off on Labor Day Weekend
IMG_0937
A Naval Academy Wedding for Megan and JoJo
IMG_1037
Visionary Art Museum Wedding for MaryBeth and James
IMG_1226
Trip to Montauk for Mike and Abby’s Big Day
IMG_1968
Katie & Adam tie the knot at Sagamore Farms
racejohn
Running with Patrick and Melissa for my late dear friend John Petrovick. “Inside all of us is HOPE.”
racejohn2
Thanks to Gabbi for helping to raise money for John’s cause.
IMG_2209
Camping trip with Erin and Rai to French Creek
IMG_2380
End of the season pic with my JV High School Girls Soccer Team
IMG_3118
ASHS 10 Year High School Reunion – man time flies
IMG_3963
AC trip for Alex’s Bachelorette!
IMG_3668
All my girls at the 5th Annual Pollard Potluck
IMG_4619
Christmas Morning at Mom and Dad’s
poodiewedding
Alex and Seamus get married to end the year!

It may seem like a lot of photos, but this is just a small snippet of what took place in 2012.  There were so many more fun memories of this past year.  There were also some sad moments as well.  I have learned a lot this past year, and I know that I am truly thankful for the family and friends that I have.  I am incredibly lucky for the support and love that I have received this past year, and I hope I was able to return the favor to all of you as well.

I wish you all a Happy New Year’s Eve.  Please stay safe tonight.

Bring on 2013!

XO,

Gina