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Americana

Dress: Borrowed from Tommy Hilfiger / Clutch: Jonathan Adler via Navette (consignment) / Shoes: Sole Society / Sunglasses: ModCloth / Earrings: Stella & Dot (similar) / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelet: Baublebar / Lip: Lancome Red Haute

Nothing says July and summertime like a red, white, and blue Tommy Hilfiger maxi dress. Perfectly patriotic, this Americana cocktail dress was perfect for the July wedding we attended a couple weeks back. While it is not from the maternity section, the stretch of elastic around the middle of the empire waist allowed me to pull off this look at about 33 weeks pregnant. It can be tough to find wedding attire when you are in your third trimester, so thank goodness for good friends who work in fashion for allowing me a night to borrow this beauty!

I paired the dress with blue suede pumps that I received for my birthday a couple years back and this unique Jonathan Adler clutch I scored at the consignment shop, Navette, on a trip to Annapolis last fall.

We had a lovely evening at the outdoor ceremony and enjoyed dinner and dancing with friends while celebrating a beautiful couple at a stunning country club in Long Island. With a toddler at home and another babe on the way, we definitely do not take these nights out for granted, and we have come to appreciate them very much!

This past weekend, I celebrated my 31st Birthday with my boys getting in two awesome beach days, two yummy dinners, a movie, some shopping, and a little quality family relaxing time. Today I hit the 35th week of my pregnancy. Can’t believe how fast things are flying. Baby will be here before we know it!

Hope you all have a great week!

XO,

Gina

America

Top: J. Crew / Tank: J. Crew / Denim: Motherhood / Shoes: Soludos / Sunnies: Vintage Kenneth Cole / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Tory Burch (similar) and Baublebar / Lip: MAC Russian Red

You may remember this top from last summer. I decided to remix it up a bit and style it for spring. This was taken in our backyard during our trip to Nola, but figured it was a perfect outfit post leading into Memorial Day Weekend. I am headed out of town again this weekend…this time on a girl’s trip for my BFF’s Bachelorette to Deep Creek Lake, MD. I tell you, this lady couldn’t be further from a Bridezilla and she has chosen a pregnant woman’s dream of a Bachelorette celebration. A nice house near a lake with all your besties, cooking dinner, wearing sweatpants, and drinking wine? Ok fine, maybe I can’t have the wine…but I will take all the rest! And I will selfishly admit that I am glad I won’t have to squeeze on a mini dress with this baby bump and strut awkwardly into a club (although honey, I WOULD have done that for you too!) But thanks for taking it easy on me 😉 Although I will miss my little munchkin once again this weekend, it will definitely be nice to have some girl time and at least my boys will get some quality time together as well.

What are your plans for Memorial Day Weekend?

Make it a good one!

XO,

Gina

Porch Swing

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

Love, Lori Michelle

Aside from the amazing Mother’s Day gift that I received from my husband and son, I also received an incredible mommy necklace made especially for me by Lori of Love, Lori Michelle. She worked with me to custom design the necklace I am wearing in this post, and we chose a heart with an “N” cut out in the corner for my little Nico. Lori is a digital artist and designer whose work with 3D models inspired her to create 3D printed jewelry. Most of her early designs were created as birthday or wedding gifts for friends, and she prides herself on her custom one-of-a-kind designs. Her silver and stainless steel pieces are both beautiful and original, and I’m so happy to be the recipient of such a wonderful gift!

What is 3D printing you ask? Lori describes the printing process here if you’d like to read on.

Custom Necklace: c/o Love, Lori Michelle / Dress: F21 – similar / Sandals: Sam Edelman – red sold out, but many color choices here / Heart Sunnies: Amazon – super sale! / Heart Striped Tote: Ban.do / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelet: Stella and Sparkle / Earrings: ALDO / Lip: Lancome Red Haute / Toes: Essie Lights

On Nico – Oxford Button Up Bodysuit: Baby GAP / Shorts: Crazy 8 / Fedora: Old Navy – similar / Stroller: Uppababy Vista

My 1st Mother’s Day was absolutely everything I could have asked for and more. Nico woke up an hour later than his normal time babbling “Mama Mama” in his crib to awake me from slumber. A whole extra hour to sleep in? That never happens! And saying Mama? First time ever! What better way to wake up on my first Mother’s day huh?

We ate breakfast together at home, and then headed outside as it was a perfect, sunny, beautiful day sans humidity. Naturally the beach was calling our name! Although it wasn’t quite bathing suit and ocean weather, it was a perfect day for walking around Coney Island. It was just before tourist season, so it wasn’t too crowded. We had delicious pizza at the new Grimaldi’s (which is super family friendly by the way), and we took a long walk on the boardwalk and out on the pier. We watched people on the rides, got ice cream cones, and even played a little ski ball. The best part was watching Nico’s face as he saw people the Cyclone for the first time. I’m guessing he was thinking: 1) What is that, and 2) That looks awesome! I love seeing him experience things for the first time, and I admit I even got a little teary.

We are headed off to New Hampshire this morning for the Memorial Day holiday. If you want to follow our adventures, you can catch me on Instagram!

XO,

Gina

2013 Fashion Round Up

These are a few of my favorite outfit posts from 2013. The past year has been a wild ride full of ups and downs, but I am so grateful for how everything has turned out. These past four months have been especially wonderful watching my little boy grow up right before my eyes and spending time during the holidays as a family of three. I am going to soak in this last week of being a stay-at-home mom and enjoy every minute of snuggles before going back to work. Hope you all have been enjoying the little break, and wishing you all the best in the new year to come. I’m looking forward to a bright future ahead in 2014!

XO,

Gina

Fashion for the Fourth

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1. Nautical Knot Earrings: J. Crew / 2. Red Stripe Sperry Top Siders: Nordstrom / 3. American Flag Sunnies: PacSun / 4. Tory Burch Kelsey Laser Cut Tote: Neiman Marcus / 5. Religion Flag Tee: We Like Fashion / 6. NARS Jungle Red Lipstick: Beauty.com / 7. Gucci Envelope Clutch: Profile Fashion / 8. American Flag Shorts: We Like Fashion / 9. Red Retro Sunnies: Liberty / 10. Nautical Stripe Bangle: Coach / 11. Anthony Peto White Panama Hat: Modewalk / 12. Red and White Stripe Button Dress: New Look / 13. Red and White Stripe Tote: Modcloth / 14. Americana Pillow: Calypso St. Barth / 15. Dolce Vita Striped Sandals: Jildor / 16. NARS China Blue Eyeshadow: Beauty.com / 17. Vintage Style Polka Dot Bathing Suit: Unique Vintage / 18. Red and White Sailor Dress: Attitude Holland / 19. Navy and White Sweetheart Dress: Forever 21 / 20. Navy and White Soludos: Shopbop / 21. Marc Jacobs Red Jean Shorts: Stylebop / 22. Fossil Watch: Piperlime / 23. Z Designs Anchor Necklaces: MetroPark / 24. Essie Butler Please: Target

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The 4th of July is right around the corner, and I decided to put together this little red, white, and blue inspiration board to put me in the mood! We are getting extremely excited for our upcoming mini-vacation to the cutest lake-side cottage in Maine. But first, we have a wedding to celebrate on Maryland’s Eastern Shore! We are headed down there tonight to celebrate our friends Kurt and Tiffany tomorrow, and we couldn’t be more excited.

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Happy Friday, and hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

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XO,

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Gina

Rock the Vote

Tank: J. Crew (red on sale!) / Pants: H&M / Shoes: Aldo / Bag: Coach

This is an old photo from the summer (4th of July), but I just wanted to show my red, white, and blue American patriotism for Election Day. No matter what you believe in or what political party (or not party) you belong, I hope you will get out there and ROCK THE VOTE!