Current Favorites

I am gearing up for a weekend away with friends (solo!) so this week will be all about doing the prep. It always makes me feel better to leave when things are organized for my crew, but getting it together can be stressful. So I have lots of lists going, some meals to prep, and more importantly outfits to plot for packing. I will be posting a bunch while I am gone, so make sure to follow on Insta!  In the meantime, here are a few favorites from last week...

1. Mary has a super cozy fleece that I have been jealous of or weeks and I finally found one just like it. ON SALE woohoo! 

2. I use this rich lotion year round, but as it gets colder I need it even more. I slather on my hands each night and massage into any extra dry patches I might have. It really is a cure all and non-toxic. 

3. The last thing I needed was more pajamas or sweat suits, but here we are getting more. And I LOVE this set from Splendid so much. It is crazy soft and cozy, but not too hot so you can wear to sleep too. I wore it to drop off and possibly the entire next day after sleeping in it. ha

4. I am almost done with this book that weaves a complicated story of a family of four very different sisters. Fun and sad and true, you will love it. 

5. Speaking of sad, I am SO sad I plowed through all the episodes of Workin' Moms on Netflix. I need something new! 

6. The perfect sweater dress is kind of the holy grail of Fall. Add tights and you also have the best winter outfit. This wine colored number might just be it. 

7. You know I am big Glossier fan (this and this I use every day) and I am loving the new formula of the Generation G lipsticks. Think of it as part stain, part 'I just blotted my lipstick" without the blotting. The Jam color seems like it would be so dark, but I think it is the perfect berry for Fall. 

8. Finally an Ugg alternative that is cute! Also come in black, brown, beige, and leopard!

xo

Erin 

Current Favorites

How is Fall going, friends? Sinking into spiced everything and a possible scarf well? We have been on a bit of a whirlwind which has not let me enjoy the season as much I would like, but I plan on making the best of it while it lasts. An extra afternoon coffee spiked with cinnamon and getting cozy with the kids before bed are helping me remember it is Fall. Here are some other things that are helping make my days brighter...

1. Love these Sorel boots I just got. They also come in blue, coral, and brown and gray. 

2. I use quite a few of the Glossier products, but this new cover up they make is by far my favorite right now. Melts into your skin, perfect for under eyes and hides redness around the nose. 

3. I have become an almond milk snob and I am not even lactose intolerant. I just LOVE this toasted coconut almond milk so much in my dirty chai in the morning. I wake up early to make it instead of going to Starbucks. 

4. My kids have had these magnetic drawing lap pads for years, but all the sudden they are the shining stars of the toy collection. Keeps them busy! 

5. If you have not discovered the Wet Brush yet for yourself and any possible little heads in your house, get one. A light touch gets even the nastiest tangles out.

6. I have not been buying too many new skin products lately since my revelation, but I have been insistently using this Honest Beauty Magic Balm. Obviously it is great on lips, but it is also great on cuticles, eye lids (for a bit of shine), and any dry patches. Plus, it is pretty. 

7. Almost done reading this tear jerker. Can't wait to see the movie. 

8. In the mood to make this smokey, healthy but hearty, Turkey Sausage and Lentil Soup this week. 

9. Every Fall I end up going back for another pair of these flats. The perfect shape and it comes in such great colors. 

xo

Erin 

Currently Liking

The beginning of this year has gotten me seriously out of sorts. Between travel, sick kiddies, work, there is not a lot of rhythm to my day. But there are a few things right now that I am either enjoying or hope to soon. Some lovely randomness for you...

1. Instagram is probably one of the only social media outlets I check regularly these days and I love @natgeo. Photos and stories around the world each day that inspire and educate you, what could be better? 

2. My beloved little bracelet with my kids initials on it broke. So I am on the hunt for a new one. Thinking this one with both of their initials would be a nice replacement. Bauble Bar $119

3. I am also loving a hat right now. This floppy one from J. Crew looks perfect. $54

4. Reading actual books was a resolution of sorts and I am deep into Unbroken right now. Anytime you need some perspective start reading a book about a POW from World War II. It makes your day, no matter how difficult, feel like a breeze. Love the way she entangles the story of the protagonist and those  in his life. Plus the education on the Pacific theatre of this war is insanely eye opening. Love a good history lesson on this grand old dame of a country of ours.

5. With the influx of new things after Christmas, my mind keeps wandering on how to simplify my life. My house, my mind, my day. This 30 day challenge might be something great for the coming weeks. You into it?  

6. Santa brought a Nespresso machine, which is great, except I do not drinks coffee. But! The milk frother has changed my life. I am perfecting my Chai Latte every day. (ps: the coffee is delicious)

7. That picture is terrible, but Jimmy Kimmel was on the Bachelor this week and it was pretty great. I love how into he is. The above is Jimmy eating wings while watching the Bach and his date make out in a hot tub. Does anyone else still watch? (ps: Melissa, I miss your round ups!) 

Anything cool and exciting that is making your day/week? Would love to hear. 

xo

Erin 

Not on the Registry

Even though it has only been six months since the babe came, it might as well be a lifetime. Those first few weeks and months of having a newborn have slid from my memory quickly. Not the great parts, like first baths, tiny finger grips, and locking eyes for what seemed like hours, but the hard parts like the complete and utter exhaustion, the hardships of nursing, and the baby blues. When you are in it for the first time, it can feel like your life will never resemble what it was before baby. Then as the weeks go on and the baby grows with you as a new mom, you start to get it. Each week, just a little more. We are still adjusting, but it sort of feels like life has settled into our new normal. 

With so many friends in the trenches of newborn-dom or about to embark on them, I wanted to share what resources seemed to help me the most through those first couple months. The internet is a deep dark place filled with crazy people, but somehow during that 3am feeding you will listen to any one's advice or story. Funny since they could be living in scowler and misrepresenting their entire experience. 

A few things that I found the most helpful are not registry items or keepsakes that are jammed in your house right now. They are simple resources to help you through and keep you sane. 

The Similac Strong Moms iPhone app was my favorite tool right from the start. You can keep track of everything. Diaper changes, nursing (length, side, amount, etc.) sleeping, bottle feedings, and growth. Once you start entering, it then helps to predict your baby's schedule. I tend to like data, so it was nice to see patterns emerge a bit (even if they were that your baby only sleeps during the day) and it gave me something to reference each day. 

I mentioned this book in my registry post, but I can not stress enough how helpful Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Weissbluth has been. He started out with no more than two hours of sleep at a time. I followed the book exactly (even CIO) and he started sleeping twelve hours a night at about three months. Some of that is biological, but a lot of it was following the science behind sleeping and this book is a great guide. 

The Babycenter site and apps were so helpful during pregnancy. You can also download their My Baby app to follow along with tips and information based on the birth date. You can also join the Birth Club for that month on the app and follow along with other moms who are right there with you. This can be another breeding ground for crazy, but I liked seeing posts from other new moms with the same questions and problems. Just knowing that someone out there was going through the same things was a relief. 

Other new moms was by far my favorite resource and outlet. No one is as great as someone who is going through the same life experiences that you are. I was lucky enough to have three friends with newborns at the same time. I also connected with old friends from college through Facebook who I might not have gotten close with again otherwise. 

If you are in newborn-land right now or about to be, know that it is a crazy amazing time. You will struggle with some it and at the same time relish in it. Those sweet moments of your tiny baby getting used to the world does not last long. Enjoy, reach out, and know that life will settle into something "normal" once again. 

xo
Erin 

Laters Babe

Ok, I admit it. I am obsessed with Fifty Shades of Grey. I have not been reading as much since the babe came (except books on sleep, specifically how to get your baby to sleep, so boring) but found some time on a recent trip. 

Let's just say that Fifty is not a literary masterpiece, but a great escape and fun to read. Racy does not even begin to describe it. Enjoy. 

Since Fifty is all about fantasy, I put together a little something Ana might wear to drinks with Christian. Maybe a helicopter (Charlie Tango) is involved? Who knows, but this is what I would style her in...

McQ by Alexander McQueen Sheath ($355). Ladylike shape with a mysterious print. 

Cheeky bracelet that is just his style by Stella McCartney ($660)

A functional clutch by Essex ($150). Nothing too flashy for Mr. Grey. 

One part classic, one part sexy patent Jimmy Choo heels

Essex LA makes all their bags custom, with plenty of zipper, leather, and even inside pocket color choices. So fun to design one for yourself. I discovered them over on Melissa's blog, which you should bookmark immediately. 

I bought those Jimmy Choo's as an early birthday present. They have been on my radar for awhile and I loved the nude patent's versatility with the unconventional shape. 

So what would you wear to meet Christian? Or do we not want to know? 

Laters.

xo

Erin