In the Garden

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My guy has been working hard on our garden this year.  I can’t say I have participated much more than a trip to the nursery to pick out some plants (which was really fun by the way!) and a couple days of watering, but I’ve been watching the baby, ok?  In due time when these plants start producing some vegetables…that’s when my work will come into play.  I will be making homemade tomato sauce and pesto, and I will have a happy husband.  Teamwork makes the world go round.

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Top: J. Crew (old) / Dress (worn as a skirt): Free People (old) – shop day dresses / Shoes: Nordstrom Rack / Bag: H&M / Sunnies: YSL / Lip: MAC Up the Amp / Necklace: Gifted / Bracelet: Oja Jules / Watch: Coach

It was a bit of a rough weekend, as I caught a sinus infection and was completely laid up. We had to cancel our anniversary dinner and I missed the 30th Birthday celebration for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law.  On a separate doctor’s note, I spent yesterday morning in the orthopedic office getting a Cortisone shot to try and help my trigger finger.  Womp womp.

Starting to feel better today, and enjoying the amazing weather we have had in the city the past few days.  We are getting excited for our upcoming family mini vacay with our best friends Erin & Rai.  You may remember them from our Maine trip last year.  We have decided to take another adventure with them to the New England region, and this time we are visiting New Hampshire (and we will also have a mini addition to the crew this year!)  We are heading north earlier in the season, so it will be a bit chillier than last year but we are looking forward to a bit of adventure, some breathtaking natural surroundings, and some R&R as well.

Hope you are all enjoying the week so far!

XO,

Gina

Oxfords & Brights

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Dress: Forever 21 / Jacket: Vintage / Tights: Target / Oxfords: CA by Carrini via Hautelook (similar here) / Hat: Habit Boutique / Bag: T.J. Maxx / Locket: Vintage / Watch: Betsey Johnson / Beaded Bracelets: Guilty Jean / Leather Buckle-Up Bracelet: Wanderlust + Co. / Nails: Essie Ladylike / Lips: MAC Up the Amp

Don’t let the rain get you down!  Although it’s dark and gray outside, your outfit doesn’t have to follow suit.  Brighten up this rainy day gloom with some color in your wardrobe.  I scored these amazing oxfords on Hautelook for only $16!  Yes, you read that right.  I paired them with a tribal print dress and some colorful tights to bright up my mood over the weekend as I headed to the sunglass convention to see my friends at Waveborn.  We had a lot of fun trying on all their new styles for spring, and Nico enjoyed trying on the Babiators as well.  Isn’t he the cutest?

Nico Geek Chic

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and wishing you a great week ahead!

XO,

Gina

Back in Action

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Striped Blouse: H&M – similar here,  / Absolute Legging: AG Jeans / Booties: ALDO / Locket: Vintage via Etsy – more from the shop here / Clutch: TJ Maxx / Bracelets: Wanderlust + Co., ASOS (sold out – similar here), Baublebar

2014 has had a crazy start!  I started back up to work, and have been trying to figure out how to be a working mom.  Right now I’m trying to cram all my work into three days and still have time to pump three times a day to make sure my boy has enough to eat while I’m gone.  When I am home with him, he is more awake than ever, and he keeps me busy all day long.  It’s a lot of fun watching him grow (He rolled over for the first time this weekend!  And he’s sitting up for long periods of time on his own now!), but it can definitely be exhausting!  On top of that, we have been dealing with some house issues that need crucial hands on maintenance, and I’ve also been planning Nico’s upcoming Baptism.  Whew!

Needless to say, my poor little blog has been getting neglected.  I’ve had ideas for posts and outfits that I have wanted to blog, but life has just been getting in the way, and p + p unfortunately had to go on the back burner the past few weeks.  Hopefully as we settle into our new routine, I will be able to find some time to keep things going, because I really do love having this little creative outlet!

Onto this outfit.  Although, I do adore some pops of color every now and then, I do tend to go back to my comfort zone of black and white quite often!  Maybe it’s the New York in me.  I’m now back in my original size jeans (yay!) which called for a shopping celebration, and I scored this striped blouse at H&M while out.  The vintage locket I am wearing was a Christmas gift from my husband, and I’m absolutely in love with it.  There is a family photo of the three of us inside, with three other spaces to put photos when I want to add them.

Hope you will be hearing more from me in the coming weeks!  I am glad to be back in action.

XO,

Gina

Paint the Town Blue

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This is one of my favorite jackets to wear for fall, and you can see I wore it last fall as well.  I received this beautiful necklace as a new mommy gift from a friend, and I just couldn’t wait to style it!  I have been reluctant to do a full shopping spree this season since I am in a bit of a limbo period where some of my old clothes still fit, but some of them are still too small.  I am hesitant to go out and buy a bunch of new clothes in bigger sizes than my “normal.” (especially pants.)  So all the items here have been recycled from my current closet.  Everything you see here has been worn in a previous post, but I mixed and matched to create this new look for the season.

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Jacket: Macy’s (old) / Button Down: GAP – sold out – similar / Jeans: Motherhood / Booties: Target / Necklace: Coup de Coeur (gift from friend) – not available online / Sunnies: Vintage / Earrings: Forever 21 / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelet: Baublebar – similar / Lip: Lancome Fuchsia Clutch – similar

Hope you all had a great weekend.  We celebrated Nico’s 1st Halloween party with the parents and babies in the neighborhood, carved a pumpkin, took a couple walks and did some things around the house.  Nico has his 2 month doctor’s appointment this week (wow, 2 months already!) and it’s also Halloween!  Not sure if we will actually walk around with him this year or we will just give out candy on the stoop.  What are your plans this Halloween?  Or what did you do to celebrate this past weekend?

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

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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

Beachy Keen

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As excited as we are for our Little Monkey to get here, the hubby and I are trying to soak up as much couple time as we can while it’s still just the two of us.  We headed to Rockaway for a romantic little day on the beach complete with yummy arepas from Caracas, beautiful weather, good reading material, and great conversation.  These pics are from 37.5 weeks pregnant, and today marks 38!

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Dress: Victoria’s Secret (old) – similar style / Headband: Urban Outfitters (old) – similar / Sunnies: Vintage / Earrings: ALDO / Friendship Bracelets: Jacob Riis Boardwalk Vendor / Nails: Essie Play Date 

Have a lovely Tuesday everyone!

XO,

Gina

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{15} Lately…

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Lately I’ve been…

reading  Just finished a couple books including Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan, and Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn.  Maine was an okay beach read, but I honestly didn’t care for the characters all that much.  They were a bit bitchy and whiny, and while they were all family, it was pretty tough for them to all get along.  It was a decent read, but not a must for me.  Sharp Objects on the other hand was a really good book.  If you liked Gone Girl, then you will like this book as well.  This mystery/thriller is an easy read that captures your attention, and makes you unable to put it down.

writing  Finished all of my thank you notes for the many wonderful gifts we received for our little guy!  I’m also writing up my to-do lists for how to train our new employee who is coming in next week and will be filling in while I’m on maternity leave.  Can’t believe it’s almost that time!

listening  Loving this summer jam, Reload by Sebastian Ingrosso, Tommy Trash, and John Martin.  Makes me wanna dance.

thinking  It’s been a beautiful week here in NYC, and that I am incredibly lucky the weather has been kind to me this August.

smelling  The new Bath and Body works lotion I got for my birthday, Rio Rumberry.

watching  A French, indie film called The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.  I read the book a few years ago, and have been wanting to watch the movie ever since.  It’s a true story about well-known man in the fashion industry who became a paraplegic and learned to communicate and write a novel with the blink of his eye.  Fascinating.

wishing  That the rocking chair/glider that just arrived for our nursery didn’t feel like it was taking over the entire room.  I swear it didn’t look that big in the photos!  I think I’m starting to get used to it, but when it first arrived, I was in a bit of shock!

hoping  For a fun, yet productive weekend ahead!  Planning on finally checking out the Hester Street Fair (for real this time), attending a Brooklyn Cyclones game with friends, and putting in some more work on the nursery.

wearing  An old blue/green maxi skirt from American Eagle that I’ve had in my closet for awhile now paired with a coral and white striped maternity tee from Motherhood.  Old Navy white flip flops for comfort, and my vintage sunnies.  

loving  These sexy, fall booties from ALDO.  Gah, I can’t wait to wear heels again!

laughing  We’ve been listening to all the comedy stations on XM Radio during our past few long car rides.  I’m usually the driver, but Zack has had to drive a bit this summer due to my pregnancy sleepiness.  We find that laughing while driving is a good way to stay awake.

wanting  To be with my family this week in the Outer Banks, NC on our annual vacation.  It’s the one time of the year when both sides of my family all get together, and it’s one of my favorite weeks of the year.  However, I know I’m staying put in NY for a very good reason!  Luckily, the weather has been so great here, and I have been keeping myself distracted with a busy work schedule and prepping for the baby to arrive.  I just flash forward to next year when we will have an almost-one-year-old running around with us at the beach!

needing  To get my hospital bag packed.  Next week I’ll be full term, and they say you could go at any time between 37-42 weeks.  I know that is a big, open time frame, but you also never know when the little one will want to make his debut!  Therefore, that is on the top of my list for weekend priorities.

feeling  Pretty good!  Sometimes it’s hard to get comfortable, and I have to pee at all times, but overall, I am feeling pretty good in these last few weeks of pregnancy.

craving  Sweets.  It’s probably not good, and I typically have a sweet tooth anyway…but I’m finding myself wanting something sweet almost every day now.  I guess I can milk these last few weeks while I can 😉

clicking  Through many animated commercials that our new clients have done.  Been trying to familiarize myself with their work as much as I can.

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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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Milk and Honey

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A bunch of new restaurants and coffee shops have popped up in our Brooklyn neighborhood of Ditmas Park lately, so we decided to check out this one last Saturday morning.  We met up with a fellow soon-to-be mom at Milk and Honey to discuss the possibility of a nanny share come January.  I love the decor of the space, and the breakfast food and drinks were very yummy.  I anticipate we will be returning in the future!

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Ikat Dress: Borrowed – similar / Tank: Old Navy / Sandals: Dolce Vita / Shades: Vintage / Necklace: Family Heirloom / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Henri Bendel and Baublebar / Nails: Essie Naughty Nautical / Lip: Lancome Fleur Impressioniste

These pics were taken during my 35th week, and today marks week 36.  Eeeek!!

It’s a rainy Tuesday here in the NYC, and I’m wishing I was down in the Outer Banks, NC with my fam at the beach on vacation.  But I certainly have enough to keep me busy here at work this week with two new clients, a potential new hire, and lots more.

Have a good one ya’ll!

XO,

Gina

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Friday Favorites

1. Favorite Summer Drink – The Smoothie

I have been downing one of these almost daily.  They are super refreshing and hydrating for my prego body, not to mention tasty.  I love to mix it up with different fruits including watermelon, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, pineapples, and more.

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Photo from KristenHadeed.com

2. Favorite Recipe – Beer Can Chicken

My husband made this receipe from Bon Appetit Magazine last week, and it was absolutely delicious!  In the middle of cooking, the chicken actually ended up falling over on the grill, and he was convinced it turned out burned and terrible, but I beg to differ!  It was juicy and flavorful, and I would definitely request we have this again!

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3.  Favorite Wedding Hairstyle – Beautiful Top Bun w/ Headpiece

My beautiful cousin, Alex, adorned this stunning hairstyle on her wedding day last December courtesy of Creations-a-la-Nikki.  I love how super-chic and classy her look is, captured by the wonderful photographer Abby Grace.

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4.  Favorite Blogger – Keiko Lynn

I have been following Keiko’s blog for awhile now.  I absolutely love her retro-yet-modern, punkish-yet-feminine chic style.  Her blog is definitely one of those that I go to for inspiration.  And her make-up tutorials are phenomenal!

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5.  Favorite Funny Video – Dad Life

This video actually reminds me more of my own Dad, than of my husband, but who knows, it could only be a matter of time once Zack starts rockin’ the Dad Life style as well!  Haha.

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Hope you all have a fantastic weekend.  We are headed down to Maryland for one last quick trip (before we hibernate in NY until the baby gets here) for my sister-in-law’s baby shower for my future little nephew!  We are so excited our boys will be born right around the same time.  It reminds me of growing up with my cousin, Marisa, and I hope our boys create the same type of long-lasting friendship that we did throughout the years.

Happy Friday!

XO,

Gina

Fashion for the Fourth

Fashion for the Fourth
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
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.
Happy Friday, and hope you all have a fabulous weekend!
XO,
Gina
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