stylemint Archives - Popcorn and Pandas

‘Tis the Season

‘Tis the Season! I did a little me-shopping for the holidays, and picked up this jeweled sweatshirt from StyleMint as well as these adorable burgundy bow smoking slippers from Seychelles. This outfit was a perfect blend of being polished and dressy enough for the Thanksgiving weekend festivities, but also allowed me to stay comfortable at the same time. This particular day, my family all came to my parents house to meet our little Nico for the first time. It went well and our little guy certainly has a lot of people who love him!

I also took advantage of the Starbucks drive-thru while in Maryland. My neighborhood doesn’t have one, and I haven’t been venturing out of it too often while on maternity leave. I absolutely swoon over their holiday lattes, and this year was no different. I tried the Caramel Brulee Latte for the first time, and loved it so much, I got one the following day for the drive back to NY as well. Yum!

Photos by: Mary Ann Guaragna / Edited by: Myself

Sweatshirt: StyleMint / Bow Blouse: Piperlime (old) – also like this one in coral / Smoking Slippers: Seychelles / Pants: Motherhood / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelet: Stella and Sparkle / Lip: Smashbox Maven / Nails: Essie Hot Coco

Things have been a little crazy in the Notes household this past weekend. We’ve been trying to get Nico on a better sleeping pattern (i.e. trying to get him to go to sleep without it taking 2+ hours). It hasn’t been fun, but after a few short days, I think it’s actually starting to work. The whole family might be on a track toward good sleep (fingers crossed). This is just the first of many tough parenting decisions we have had to make. No one can really explain how hard motherhood can be sometimes. We are just figuring everything out along the way. Oh! We have also come super close to finding a nanny for our little guy! We have interviewed a lot, and we think we just may have found the one. Hoping it all works out for the best!

Happy Monday everyone!

XO,

Gina

Glitzy Glam

Nothing says holiday season like a little glitter and gold! While in Maryland last week, we were able to get out and about to a few holiday parties both with and without our little one. This particular night I was dressed up for our annual friends potluck dinner that is now going six years strong! We had a great trip, and I’m excited for all the festivities coming up this month!

Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Jacket: StyleMint / Top: Urban Outfitters (old) / Pants: Motherhood / Shoes: Dolce Vita – similar / Bag: Rebecca Minkoff – similar in rose gold / Butterfly Ring: nOir / Watch: Betsey Johnson (old) – also love this one / Necklace: Family Heirloom / Hoop Earrings: Gifted / Lip: Smashbox Maven

I Didn’t Listen

Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Blazer: Target / Peplum Top: StyleMint – sold out, but also like this one and this one / Pants: Motherhood / Sunnies: ModCloth / Leopard Pumps: Liz Claiborne – on sale! / Necklace: Forever 21 / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Baublebar and Henri Bendel / Earrings: ALDO / Lip: MAC Candy Yum Yum

I didn’t listen. They told me not to wear white. “You’re a new mom. Moms just can’t wear white.” I despised this statement. I thought to myself, “I can rock white. Just because I’m a mom, now I can’t wear white? But I like white. Who cares what they say. I’m going to be a rebel and do it anyway.” So I flounced around in ivory lace skirts and more recently in this winter white blazer. Well, I’m sad to say, everyone was right. This white blazer lasted no more than an hour on our leisurely Saturday afternoon. I won’t go into details, but you can probably imagine a scenario or two that could have happened to my white blazer. The only upside was that I got to (had to) buy a new sweater to wear for the rest of the day. The take away from this experience: I am not going to stop wearing white. However, I will most likely save my white wearing days for those when I am back in the office with no little munchkins around.

It’s starting to get chilly here in New York City, and I am getting super excited for a little mini vacay we are taking to Florida on Wednesday! The weather is looking nice and warm for our trip, and I have a fresh mani/pedi for the occasion (thanks hubby for watching Nico so I could enjoy 90 minutes of bliss). It’s time to get packin’ over here.

Hope you all enjoy the week!

XO,

Gina

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

Accessorize Me {Flair Accessories Series #1}

Here is the first outfit post for my Flair Accessories series. I started off with a simple business casual look — colored button down, black denim skinny jeans, black pumps. Simple right? What brings this look to the next level is the accessories. A little leopard print belt and gloves take this look up a notch as well as the vintage sunglasses. And lastly, the fabulous flair that was added to complete the look. Take note of the purple pop to my ears and the chain bling around my neck. I also added this fun cage style ring. Without the accessories, the look would honestly be quite boring in my opinion. Accessorizing is a key element to my getting ready process and can turn a look from “nice” to “amaze” in a matter of seconds. Definitely check out Carly’s amazing store online. I guarantee you will find a piece of flair you adore!

Photos by: Zack Notes

Coat: ASOS / Button Down: StyleMint / Pants: ZARA / Belt: J. Crew – similar / Shoes: Cynthia Rowley / Sunglasses: Vintage / Gloves: Dorothy Perkins / Necklace, Earrings, Ring: Flair Accessories / Lip: Lancome Red Haute

It’s a busy week here with work conferences, clients in town, movie nights, meetings, photography class, photography homework, etc. Hopefully I can find some time to fit some sleep in there. Right now I’m just whirling on through.

I saw Argo over the weekend and Beasts of the Southern Wild last night, which are two more Oscar nominated films to check off my list. Both were absolutely amazing. Beasts was especially impressive coming from a first time director, and that little girl was such an amazing actress. I would recommend both films though!

In other news, how was everyone’s Super Bowl? I really didn’t have a team to rally behind (since my beloved Redskins did not make it), but being from Maryland, I must say I have a lot of happy friends this week!

Hope everyone has a Happy Hump Day!

XO,

Gina

{4} Lately…

Lately I’ve been…

reading I took a little reading break over the holidays with all the craziness, but now that I’m back to the Big Apple and doing my daily subway commute again, I have started Book 4 of the Harry Potter series.

writing Yesterday and today, I have been catching up on writing e-mails since I have been away on holiday. Still have a few more to go, but I’m getting there!

listening Was recently introduced to this a cappella version of Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” performed by Walk Off the Earth feat. KRNFX. Pure genius. Thanks for sending this to me Krissy!

thinking About taking my Christmas tree down this weekend. Are the holidays really over?

smelling Lolita Lempicka perfume that I put on this morning. A musky floral vanilla scent that is sensual and romantic.

wishing My friend Erin all the best on her move back to Connecticut from the Big Apple. Good luck on your new venture with grad school. You will be missed, but you better come visit!

hoping That all my family and friends are starting off 2013 on a happy note!

wearing Lots of black. Black peplum top from StyleMint with military blazer from Macy’s over top. Black skinny jeans from ZARA with my new Steve Madden studded combat boots. Swoon! Pops of pink from my Barami necklace and American Eagle beanie (thanks Meg!) Lastly, my new black military style winter coat that I got from the hubby for Christmas from ASOS. Obsessed!

loving That I just got back to work yesterday, and it’s already the weekend today.

wanting To see Les Mis this weekend. Yes, that must happen.

needing To get back in shape. I know, I know. It’s the new year and everyone has these fitness resolutions. So sue me if I want to jump onto that bandwagon. The holidays were fun, but now my pants are too tight.

feeling Excited for the possibilities that 2013 brings! We already have a few weddings on the books, some travel ideas (thinking Arizona!), a photography class scheduled, and (shocker!) even some relaxation time in the next few weeks with no bi-monthly trips to Maryland. Sorry fam/friends, it’s your turn to come visit US!

clicking Researching through different animation company reels and catching up on e-mails and my favorite blogs.

What have you been up to lately?

Happy Friday!

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.

A Sunday Stroll

Took these photos on a leisurely Sunday stroll this past weekend. These new floral print leggings from StyleMint are my new favorite go-to choice for weekend wear. They are super comfy and lounge-worthy for a day around the house, yet the fun print allows me get up and walk around town without feeling like a total bum. They are currently on sale, so get ’em while they last!

Jacket: American Eagle / Top: Urban Outfitters (old) / Floral Leggings: StyleMint (on sale now!) / Bag: TJMaxx / Sunglasses: Ann Taylor LOFT / Combat Boots: Aldo / Watch: Betsey Johnson / Skull Chain Bracelet: Oia Jules / Ring: Forever 21 / Black Beaded Bracelets: Forever 21 / Necklace: H&M / Earrings: Aldo / Lip: MAC Venomous Villains Cruella de Vil Heartless w/ Wicked Ways Gloss

Photos by: Zack Notes

Today marks the end of the short work week here in the city. After wrapping up at the end of the day, I will head home to Brooklyn to pack up my bags and get on the road. Zack and I will be traveling down to Maryland to celebrate Thanksgiving with the fam! It’s nice that both of our families are relatively in the same area, so we are able to see everyone for the holiday weekend. I’m looking forward to our annual friends potluck dinner tomorrow night and spending time with loved ones throughout the next few days. What are your plans for the holiday? Traveling? Staying bundled where you are? Would love to hear. Stay safe everyone, and enjoy your time off if you have it!

XO,

Gina