Steffys Pros and Cons | A NYC Personal Style, Travel and Lifestyle Blog

A Note To My Mom on Mother's Day / The Gift of Chocolate!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 13 May 2017 12:00:00 +0000

This year, after becoming a mom, I can truly connect with and understand my own mom, and all of the sacrifices she made for me. She always used to say "You'll understand when you become a mom," and those words COULD NOT BE MORE TRUE.

So this Mother's Day, Hudson and I are sending over an "e-card" via this blog post, filled with merci chocolate (that we'll be mailing) to my mom! We're many miles apart, but we love you so much Mom! Thanks for putting in so much time, energy and worries to help me be the best me that I can be. I strive to be even 1/2 as selfless as you were as a parent - you set the bar high. Being a mom isn't a thankless job, like your mom always said, because when you grow up and your kids have kids, they love you in a totally new way. Happy Mother's Day!

If you're looking for a small gift to share your love this Mother's Day, merci always does the trick. P.S. I had to get a little chocolate for myself too, and Matt may have had some as well ;)

Thanks to Merci for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own!

How to Spend A Sunday In Brooklyn // Outfit

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:00:00 +0000

Greenpoint, Brooklyn has quickly become one of our favorite places to wander around on the weekend. I even dream about moving here (keyword: dream). On this particular day, we ate our way around - I stopped and ate this amazing cannoli creme donut from Moe's Doughs Donut Shop. Then we ran into a friend who suggested we grab bread from Northside Bakery. We ate some perogie's and they were sooo good!

Then we grabbed some records from Co-Op 87 records, and we were amazed at the low prices + they had a listening station which is so key. I've been so into folk music!

I wore this adorable new skirt from Madewell, that I have not been able to get enough of lately. It's seriously the perfect length, and such a great Summer staple! I linked the whole look below...

Hudson's 6 Month Update + Unpublished Pictures!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 08 May 2017 11:00:00 +0000

This month was the hardest month yet, because I felt like I had no time with Hudson. But it was also incredible, because Hudson had so many firsts!

BABY UPDATE: Hudson started to [easily] roll front to back, sit up on his own, say "bababa" and "dadada," laugh even louder, grunt and just become waaay more of a human being! Sometimes, he just laughs at me for no reason, and I laugh back, and he laughs, and we just share this totally indescribable joy, like an inside joke between only us. He stares at me all day, and I stare right back. We're mutually obsessed. I love spending time with him, and every funny little thing he does just makes me more excited to be his mom.

He has been sleeping through the night (7PM - 6:15AM) except for a few nights here and there, and he's been eating solids! He loves applesauce, pear, banana, sweet potato, green beans and carrots! He is iffy on broccoli, spinach, avocado and cauliflower! He also sort of gets how to drink from a cup, and high-fives me when he feels like it. He loves his doggy, and is still obsessed with his binky. He is the most charming baby, I catch him smiling at random people all day, and then acting shy when they give him attention. He's pretty happy overall now, and is only fussy at night before bedtime, or when he's overwhelmed by too many people at once. He's very calm, and I've realized he loves calm environments like his mommy and daddy.

MAMA UPDATE: Big news on the mama front - I left my job! I was in between whether to share the news, because I've always kept my career pretty separate from the blog, but I wanted to be totally honest with you other moms out there, and follow up on my post about my first day back to work, which so many of you absolutely amazing people e-mailed me about.

I did not want to make the decision to leave an emotional one, so I went back to work for a full month. It was extremely hard, and while dropping Hudson off did get easier, and his daycare was amazing to him, I truly felt like I did not want to miss this time in his life. I was gone for 42 hours of his week, and I didn't feel it was fair to him, or to me. Matt travels for work a decent amount and works long hours, and between running this blog, working full-time and being a good mom, it became too much. I wasn't even having a single second to myself to do basic human things, like shower or eat dinner. My work is amazing, and they were completely understanding, which makes me so relieved, because I felt really guilty about the decision. I in no way shape or form want to make this seem like this is the "right" thing to do, because it's SUCH a personal decision that we each have to individually make as moms. But for my family, it worked out, because I make some income from this blog, and I can really be present as a parent. I'm scared, definitely, but also very very VERY excited.

I wanted to thank each and every one of you who took the time to e-mail me and give me the confidence that this was even an option. I also wanted to thank all of you for making this an option by following this blog. It has changed my life.

These are the things we've been using:

1. Fisher-Price Booster Seat: After Hudson grew out of his Bumbo, we liked the idea of having a small high chair to feed him in the kitchen, since our home isn't very big! I also love that there's a toy attachment, because it entertains him while I heat up his food.

2. Trainer Cup: Since Hudson started holding his bottle, I love this one! It makes it easier for him to grip the bottle.

3. Super Baby Food: Growing up, I mostly ate carbs and sweets, so I knew I wanted to feed Hudson tons of fruits and veggies that were homemade. It's the one thing I'm actually really passionate about, even though I am not a great cook. I didn't know where to start, so this book helped me out a lot!

4. V-tech Driver: Hudson has loved this toy since he has started to sit up!

5. Gathre Mat: This mat is suchhhhh great quality, and is amazing for beach days!

6. Cactus boardies: I've been collecting fun summer clothes for Hudson, and could not pass these up!

7. Panama Hat: This hat is so cute, it's insane.

Our Kitchen Refresh With West Elm

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 04 May 2017 19:46:00 +0000

As most of you know, we renovated our kitchen last year. It looked 100% better, but I was super pregnant, and didn't have much time to put those finishing touches on things. I always felt like the kitchen was plain, but between having Hudson and figuring out life as a new mom, I didn't put much time or energy toward it. When West Elm mentioned they were expanding their registry options for couples, I was super excited to test drive the new option, and finally put some attention toward our sad barren kitchen!

I added this adorable runner to make the space feel a little bit more cozy. I've been really into everything copper lately, and was so happy to add this copper kettle to my collection. This gilded mirror tray adds such a nice elegant touch to the space as well! I've linked the rest of the items I added to the space below!

Girlfriend Jeans + A Hudson Appearance (& 10 Secret Things About Me!)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 03 May 2017 13:35:00 +0000

I saw a few people on instagram share 10 secrets about themselves that aren't out for the world to see yet, and I thought this idea was fun! You guys hear me babble on and on about my clothing choices and my life path, but I never really share much about who I am!

1. I grew up skateboard and surfing! Yup, probably never mentioned that. I used to be able to ollie over stuff, skate a bowl and surf hurricane waves. I still longboard skateboard, but want to get back into surfing.

2. When Matt and I first started to date, we lived together in Nicaragua for 7 months. I was in Brooklyn, and we were long distance, and he had a job at a hotel in Nica. I decided to move there to be with him!

3. I am the oldest, and I have 2 younger brothers. I really feel like growing up in a male-dominated home has defined who I am in many many ways.

4. I am the least girly girl you might meet who is into clothes. It's assumed because of this blog that maybe I am prissy or femme, but I promise I am not! I curse like a sailor, laugh louder than most people and never ever have my nails done.

5. I went to visual arts middle & highschool and took intensive drawing/ painting / photography classes. I hardly ever pick up a brush or a pencil anymore, but wish I did, or had the space for art supplies.

6. I used to write in a journal from 10 years old all the way until college. As a highschool graduation gift, I photo copied every single thing I wrote about my days with each of my best friends, and made them their own little memory books. I sometimes wonder if they still have them.

7. I have anxiety, and it's gotten worse as I get older. It's sort of weird saying it out loud (or typing it) but while I seem super sociable, I am very in my head, and am super obsessive about weird things so much so, that I get overwhelmed and become frozen.

8. I learned to drive by driving my dad to Krispy Kreme in Pompano Beach for Hot Now donuts while he quizzed me on which Beatle was singing.

9. My first car was a neon green VW Beetle. I decked it out with polka dots and barbies and all sorts of weird things. I wish I had pictures, but IG didn't exist so...

10. My very first Nokia ringtone was "PS I Love You" By The Beatles all in beep form.

Share some of your secrets in the comments!

7 Mules & Slides I Love

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 01 May 2017 12:00:00 +0000

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

I've never been a big "heels" kind of gal, so mules have totally swept me off of my feet. I love that theyre comfortable enough to walk in all day, but still adorable! The 1-2 inch heel is just my speed. .. and don't even get me started on pastel mules. Those mint green ones will be my every day shoes this summer!!

Spring Blooms With Clarks

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:00:00 +0000

Thanks to Zappos.com and Clarks for sponsoring this post!

The blooms are OUT in full force, and I am not wasting a second getting out my Spring clothes (and treating myself to some new ones) Last year at this time, I was too pregnant for any of my clothes to fit, so it feels sooooooo good to be in dresses & skirts & loving getting dressed again! It's like you skip tons of seasons of clothes when you're preggo (well, 10 months worth to be exact, but more like 6 with belly in place) and oh how i LOVE clothes. and shoes. that I can buckle myself.

I am so excited to partner with Clarks to style these adorable Corsio Amelia sandals from Zappos.com! I am always investing in new boots and skimping on cute Spring shoes, so I'm committed to stepping up my sandal game this season! These are so comfortable, and the ankle strap is really flattering. I ordered them, as usual, from Zappos.com and they showed up super quickly and shipped for free!

Okay, heading out to soak in more of these epic blooms!

10 Things I Miss About Life Before Being a Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 13:00:00 +0000

There's some things women generally don't talk about after becoming a mom - the gory details of their deliveries (it's all rainbows and babies, right?), the changes in their sexuality and their marriage, but most of all they don't really ever share the negatives and the setbacks in becoming a mom. Don't get me wrong, I love Hudson with my whole heart, and would much rather be with him than doing anything else, pretty much ever, but there are FOR SURE things that I miss about my life before! It's natural, I refuse to feel guilty about it, and I am going to share it with you so we can talk about it! :)

1 - The ability to do whatever I want, whenever I want. If I wanted to stay for drinks with coworkers after work, I could. Two hour bath on a Saturday at noon? Sure! Sleep in until 10PM... always was a good idea. None of these things happen anymore, not without a ton of planning beforehand!

2 - Movies!! Matt and I were huge movie junkies, but now it isn't possible to go see them, unless we get a sitter which we have yet to do. Netflix, it is!

3 - A lack of constant fear - Before Hudson, I of course wished for the health of my husband and family and friends, but I never feared that I would be responsible for anything happening to any of them. Even when Hudson is sound asleep at night, I still fear for him, or that something will happen under my roof.

4 - Planning outfits, and feeling generally more put together - I used to lose hours sometimes trying things on, trying new hairstyles and just having fun being a girl! But now, it's messy top knot and overalls on most days. My style is sort of boring!

5 - Feeling whole while out in the world - Maybe this one is a bit obscure, but when I am out and about without Hudson, I don't feel complete. It feels like people are only getting part of my story. I just want them all to know that I am a new mom, just because. I don't really know why.

6 - Having my social life determine my schedule - Once you have a baby, your day revolves around them. Even if you aren't super strict about naps, they do need to happen, as do feeds, and it's hard to stay out late even for dinner. We always have an exist strategy. Most of my friends have kids, because my friends without kids are doing things I can no longer take part in.

7 - The ability to pick up and go - If I was offered a weekend trip somewhere, or a work trip to Spain, I used to JUMP at this idea. Now I just know it's going to be a whole lot of planning and work to make it happen, which is worthwhile and fine, but it just isn't the same.

8 - Focusing on my relationship - Once you have a baby, most conversations are about the baby, or work. It's hard to force ourselves not to be those people.

9 - Feeling cute in a young + cute kind of way, not a mom kind of way - I used to get dressed and be like "YAY I love what I have on I feel so good!" but now it's usually "I look cute for a mom!" It's like this new title, that is added on to and wrapped in to my being. I don't know if other peoples perception changes of you when you become a mom, but your perception of yourself definitely does.

10 - SLEEEEP! Hudson is sleeping through the night, but I'm still not! Since mid-pregnancy when I would wake up to pee 10948 times, I never slept the same. I don't know if it's anxiety, or just that my to-do list never ends, but my mind races all night long.

Anyway, I didn't mean for this to be a negative post, but I want to be real with you guys! Being a mom is so amazing, but it's also a huge sacrifice! I'd love to hear some things you miss in the comments!

Not Without My Coffee.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 13:00:00 +0000

This tee is the damn truth... and not without my wine either! ;) I seriously have not taken it off since it showed up in an adorable pink package from bando. Here's some snaps from a morning boardwalk stroll with my two dudes.

Also, this cardigan is on super sale! I linked this entire outfit below.

Upstate NY Adventures in Thrifting // Outfit

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 11:00:00 +0000

Thanks to Zappos.com and Rockport for sponsoring this post!

It's probably not surprising to you guys that I spend my time off hunting for treasures in upstate NY (Mystery Spot antiques is worth your time!) What may come as a shock to you, though, is that I packed so light that I only brought one pair of shoes for the adventure - these super cute and comfortable Rockport sandals from Zappos.com that I was so excited to style. I am getting really good at being a pick-up-and-go, re-wear the same pants for days kind of person. If you've followed me through the years, I'm sure you can understand why I'm so proud of this accomplishment!

We spent this day in Phoenicia, walking around the town and eating at our favorite diner in all of NY. It's fun to explore all of the small towns of upstate NY, and it's even more fun to be comfortable while doing so. I can't say enough good things about these Rockport's, but the best part is that I never had to break them in. They were comfortable from the start! Also, I was able to order them in a pinch before the weekend, because as always Zappos.com has fast and free shipping! Tons more upstate adventures to come...

8 Swimsuits In My Shopping Cart

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 12:00:00 +0000

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

As the temps rise above 60 degrees, I can't help but daydream about the beach days that are right around the corner! Last summer I was in all maternity swimsuits, so I can't wait to wear some cute new suits to the beach! Here's a few of my favorites from around the web...

The Best Shoes // An Outfit!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 11:00:00 +0000

I know that I'm constantly tooting Sezane's horn, but GUYS. These shoes are my dream shoes. They're the perfect heel height, and my favorite mustard yellow color. I am so so smitten!

I found this amazing suede pinafore dress in a vintage shop near Joshua Tree, and I've never seen anything like it before! It's one of my favorite items in my closet, and makes me feel like a 70's dream! I linked the shoes & the bag below!

VIDEO: A Joshua Tree & Palm Springs Video Diary!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 17:22:00 +0000

We've been working on getting this video diary of our roadtrip up as quickly as we could, and here it is! It's so fun to share a bit of our little life with you! Enjoy! :)

Make sure to subscribe to my channel for more videos!

An Outfit In Brooklyn

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 12:00:00 +0000

Lately I've been gravitating toward wearing my hair up, because A. it's way quicker and B. it's falling out, so this is a fun way to cover that up. Also, Hudson always pulls on it now!

Most days I throw on denim and a tee, so it felt good to plan out this look and feel sort of like my "old self." Some of these items are older, but I linked similar ones below!

Hudson's 5 Month Update + Unpublished Photos!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 11:00:00 +0000

I was dreading this month (as you read in this post) but it inevitably came, and now I am here learning how to be a new kind of mom - a working mom. I am still trying to figure out how to juggle it all, mostly by sneaking in work when Hudson is sleeping at night so I can not stress in the mornings or evenings when he is awake and ready to play. I have the privilege of working from home some days, but I still feel like I don't get enough time in with him. Let's see how my second week feels...

I've been trying to find more things to do with Hudson this month, because I feel like he's more mentally developed and needs to be entertained and challenged constantly. I am going to try to find swim lessons for babies & look into mommy and me type classes! I'd love to hear suggestions for other things to get us into!

BABY UPDATE: This month, I think Hudson developmentally changed the most. He is now a PERSON, not just a little cute thing that we stare at. He does things, he has a blossoming personality and he's fun to hangout with! We went away to California on our roadtrip for 1 week, and something in that week made him way way smarter! When we came home, he used all of his toys differently. He just knew how to bounce in his Jumperoo, and he was more okay with playing alone and entertaining himself in small stretches.

He started making noise while sticking his tongue out which is so cute. He also started to roll over from back to tummy, which was not fun for his sleep at all. He 100% had a sleep regression because of this, and we had to re-sleep train him. He still goes to bed at 7:30PM and always sleeps 11 hours through the night now to 7AM.

This month he's also way more bonded with his daddy. He of course wants me when he's crying or in a mood, but I'm like this lame-o who is always there, but when daddy walks in the room he lights up and wiggles all around. It's so cute. Last thing - this month he noticed Claude! He stares at her all day as she throws her toys around and jumps around on the couch. He also grabs at her and tries to pet her!

MAMA UPDATE: I mostly feel like a way more stressed & overwhelmed version of myself. It's like, if one area of my life is thriving, the other is falling behind. On weeks where I feel like a good mama to Hudson, I notice that I haven't blogged at all, or that I've barely hungout with Matt. Now with my job back in the mixture, I barely have time to breathe. A glass of wine at dinner some nights is my sanity. :)

Also, I thought my hair would never fall out like everybody said, but now it is EVERYWHERE. I can't even brush it! Any recommendations??

These are the things we've been using most:

1. Jumperoo: Hudson has loved this toy all month! When I first got it he wasn't quite sure what to do with it, but throughout the month he has been learning how to use his legs, to bounce and the toys keep him so preoccupied!

2. Wireless Camera: After much consideration, we decided to install a Wifi camera. This allows me to workout down the hall where our other monitor's signal wasn't working, and it also allows Matt to see Hudson when he travels for work. This one was so easy to setup, and we can view it on our phone! It even lets you move the camera through your phone, it's insane!

3. Shake and Sing Elephant: For $8, this toy does so much! He loves watching the light shine, and the ears twisting!

4. Spin Rattle: We wanted to find a rattle that was a little bit more in depth then the one we have and love (linked at 3 months) - this one is his new favorite!

5. Angelcare Bath Support: When we moved Hudson from the sink to the tub, this has made my life so much easier! I place him in it, and fill the water up only a tiny bit. He loves kicking around, and the material is gripping, so he doesn't slide!

6. Water Filled Teether: My poor baby has been teething so badly, so on nights when he seems bothered we hold this in his mouth after letting it sit in the refrigerator. It gives him some relief.

7. Bumbo Seat: This Bumbo has helped him build back support! I try to place him in it during storytime in the morning, and he enjoys it!

A Spring Day Outfit

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 11:00:00 +0000

Some of you mentioned that you do miss "outfit posts" so I am going to do my best to post at least one per week! It's actually finding the items to link below that is the most time consuming, because surprisingly I DO get dressed every single day. haha!

Anyway, I wore this on a walk to the park with Hudson to put him in the swing for the first time. It was a gorgeous 55 degree Spring day, and it made me so excited for all of the beautiful weather that's ahead of us! Everything is so much more fun with Hudson. It's crazy. Anyway, I am so excited to pull out my leather jacket in this weather! I have so many lighter coats that I've been waiting to wear! I linked the items to shop below!

Blouse is Primark, but you can't shop online. Here's the link anyway, and I've linked similar ones below!

The day I returned to work after maternity leave was one of the worst days of my life.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 03:12:00 +0000

This is the first picture ever taken of Hudson and I

I've been trying to write this post all week, just knowing that it will bring up all of the tears and the messy emotions that I am feeling. But I knew I had to write it, because there's too many moms or soon-to-be moms out there who can relate, stick together, help or just talk about it.

I grew up with a stay at home mom. I used to look at her, when I was old enough to realize that she didn't work, and pity her. She always made it seem like she missed out on something. She had me at 23, and never quite figured out what she wanted to do in life, and that made me feel deep sorrow for her. I always looked at her and told myself that will never be me, I want to BE SOMEONE and have a purpose in life other than being a mom.

The day that I met Hudson was by far the greatest day in my entire life. I know it's cliche, and I know that every mom says it, but what other day really could come close? A work promotion? A stellar meal at a five star restaurant? The day you got your dog? I mean these are all great, but they can't compare to meeting the tiny human that you created with your husband. It changed me at the fiber of my being. For the first 4.5 months I didn't spend more than 5 hours apart from him to attend a wedding, and I knew EVERY tiny detail about him - when he pooped last, what kind of poop it was, if he made a new face, if he noticed his feet for the first time. Everything. But in our beautiful symbiotic relationship I always felt a tinge of sadness knowing that my time was limited, and that the simplicity of waking up and solely having to care for him would end. Everyone would always ask me, "How are you feeling about going back to work??" or "How much time do you have left?" and I would answer matter-of-factly, but thinking in the back of my mind that the day was far away still, or it wouldn't actually ever come. I guess I was in denial.

At the one month mark I had a meltdown. I couldn't shake the sadness. I googled "Does the end of maternity leave bring on Postpartum Depression?" and read all kinds of articles about women who felt the same way as me. Some quit. Some went back but just lived with the sadness.

Then my day came. On my last day of leave, I wanted to do something special or different, and make it the kind of day that you remember forever, but it ended up just being another day in the string of them. I paused in the morning for a few minutes in his room, and tried to freeze the feeling of having nothing on my mind but my baby, and I remember putting him to sleep because I cried while I fed him his bottle and placed him in his crib, knowing I'd maybe never ever feel so connected with him in our entire lives together. The next morning my "new life" began. I walked Hudson into his daycare room that I [guiltily] knew he would remain in all day, and I left him there with almost complete strangers. As I walked out tons of nice strangers smiled nicely at me as I cried and said 'it gets easier with time.' I replayed the song Blues Run the Game all day and cried more than I ever have in my life. Dropping him has gotten easier, but I still cry every day, and I still feel, at the core of my being, that leaving my baby is wrong.

I decided after 29 years that I no longer pity my mom, I envy her.

Palm Springs Outfits

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 11:00:00 +0000

As promised, here's some of the looks I wore during our time in Palm Springs! I packed all easy to throw on dresses & jumpsuits, and I thought they were all SO FUN and full of life! Some pieces are older, but I'll do my best to link similar items as best as I can! :)

I adore the sleeve detail on this one!

This AMAZING Jumpsuit is from Betty and Veronica by Rachel Antonoff. I felt like a million bucks in it! You can shop it HERE!

Palm Springs Photo Diary + Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 11:00:00 +0000

After spending 3 days in Palm Springs camping at Sam's Family Spa in our VW, we were able to explore pretty much everything on our list! I figured it would be fun to share our itinerary with you in case you're planning a trip anytime soon! Here goes!

DAY TRIP:

1. Salvation Mountain: This is about 1.5 hours outside of Palm Springs, but we made the journey. It's a super weird place, and it smells like paint, but it's incredibly bright and positive and we were so happy we made the journey. We also drove through slab city! It's really really hot, so make sure to bring a hat/sunscreen/ water!

2. Palm Springs Tramway: This is a definite must-see if you have a few hours one day. It's right inside of the city, and you get to see an incredible view (we have a video coming soon with images of the view!) We didn't realize that we should dress warm and wear sneakers to hike around, but you can spend a full day hiking the mountain once you get off the tram, if you are into hiking and exploring!

3. Whitewater Canyon Loop Trail: We hiked this beautiful trail early one morning around 8AM. Make sure to get there early, because the parking fills up, but it's definitely worth it!

PLACES TO EAT/ DRINK/ COFFEE:
1. Tonga Hut (pictured below): This tiki hut is awesome, and it even has a secret room! Make sure to ask about it!
2. Ernest Coffee: Had some delicious lattes from here, and at night the outside area connects to another tiki bar!
3. The Saguaro(pictured below): This hotel is AMAZING looking, but the music at the pool was super loud, and it was way too much of a scene for us to stick around. Definitely a must-see though!
4. King's Highway (At the Ace Hotel): The yummiest brunch!
5. Jake's: We had late lunch here and it was so delicious! I had the yummiest tuna salad.
6. Great Shakes: If you're into sweets, GO HERE. My milkshake was hands-down the best one ever, and it comes with a mini donut on the straw!
7. In N Out: No, I'm not kidding. The best burger and fries maybe ever!
8. El Mirasol: We went here for drinks and lunch on a super hot day, and it didn't fail us!

THINGS TO DO:
1. Moorten Botanical Gardens (pictured): I'm sure you've seen pictures of this Greenhouse all over instagram, but it really is worth seeing in person. It's mind bogglingly magical guys. The entire garden was created by a couple who collected all of these cacti for many years.
2. Cabazon Dinosaurs(pictured): These giant dinosaurs are a riot! It's soooo windy, and they're in a really weird location off the side of a highway, but they're awesome to see.
3. #ThatPinkDoor(pictured): Okay, this door is just another mid-century modern door, but the neighborhood it stands in is worth seeing. The houses are so inspiring, and there were so many other interestingly painted doors, and mid-century modern architecture!
4. Elvis' Honeymoon Hideaway (pictured): I am so glad we took this tour! It costs $30, and they hold them at 1PM and 3:30PM daily. The house is actually on the market for 7 million, and we learned a ton of history about Elvis and his time living in it. They allow you to take photos, and to sit on the original furniture which I thought was wild.

... I'll be back to share some Palm Springs outfits soon!

Spring Flower Shopping w/ LOFT

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 11:00:00 +0000

This Winter has been pretty mild, but that doesn't make the sound of Spring any less appealing over here. We pretty much bolted to the flower shop on the first warm-ish day to liven up our house a bit with some plant babies (if we can keep them alive, that is!) There's this adorable nursery, Dee's, near our house where we pick up our pumpkins in the Fall and our flowers in the Spring. It's basically heavenly.

I was itching to wear this LOFT dress which in my opinion is the embodiment of how spring makes me feel in one dress. I mean, could it be any more fitting for Spring!!? Doesn't it make you want to have a picnic on a navy colored plaid blanket and eat some grapes?? Yup, me too. The flirty sleeves make me feel like a perfect girlie girl, and I love the length of it with some suede low heels! I am drooling over all of the new arrivals at LOFT, and also can't wait to wear this bell sleeve chambray top that is going to make an appearance over here soon. Check out some of my favorite new arrivals below!

Some of my favorites from the Spring New Arrivals:

Desert Outfits

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 11:00:00 +0000

One of the most fun things about this trip was picking outfits for it! I brought only one pair of sandals, and tons of fun, flirty dresses! Here's some of my desert outfits for you to shop!

ZARA dress | ZARA shoes

Absolutely DIE over these Levi's wedgie fit jeans. They're my all-time favorite!

Snagged this jumpsuit from Madewell last summer, but here's some that are similar!

These overalls from Bridge & Burn are a staple, so they obviously came with me!

... More outfits from Palm Springs coming soon! Stay tuned!

Joshua Tree Photo Diary + Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 13:00:00 +0000

So, I'm definitely not a Joshua Tree expert AT ALL, but I figured I would share with you our personal itinerary while we were there, just for some ideas for your own trip! Thanks to Robert & Christina for some of these places - they passed along a great list to us of things to do in the closest town to the national park, which made our life MUCH easier! Here's some of our favorite spots / things we did!

HIKES/ CAMPING:

1. Ryan Mountain: (pictured above) - We hiked this mountain on our first day! It took us a few hours, and we made sure to wear tons of sunscreen, but the view was incredible!! Definitely worth the hike.

2. Skull Rock: The skull rock hike was pretty mild, but perfect for us, as we had Hudson in the carrier. The rocks are beautiful, and it took about 2 hours!

3. Ryan Campground: Joshua Tree makes it really hard to find camping, because it's first come first serve. We got lucky and found a spot at Ryan Campground, it's a bit smaller than the other campgrounds but felt really private, which we loved! (some images pictured below!)

PLACES TO EAT/SHOP IN TOWN:

1. The End Vintage: (pictures below) This vintage shop had amazing pieces! If I didn't have Matt and Hudson with me, I could have spent hours. I walked away with the cutest velvet dress!

2. Crossroads Cafe: We went here for brunch and it was delicious - I had the yummiest eggs and biscuits!

3. Joshua Tree Coffee Company: We never leave a town without trying the coffee! This place had some yummy cold brew, and the barista was super nice too!

Tips For Flying/ Traveling With A Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 13:00:00 +0000

A bunch of you asked for tips on how we traveled with Hudson while he's only 4.5 months old! To be honest, it is much easier than I expected. I was super nervous about how he would be on the plane, and also a bit anxious about having so much extra stuff, but it all worked out. Here's a few tips, and a list of the things we brought along to make our trip easier.

1. GATE CHECK THE STROLLER AND CAR SEAT - All airlines allow you to check your stroller and car seat FOR FREE at the gate. This means you can push the baby in the stroller all the way until you board! Then, when you deplane, your stroller is right there waiting for you. It makes it so much easier to walk through the airport.

2. ASK FOR A BASSINET ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS - Our plane didn't have one, but a lot of them do! Make sure to ask!

3. FEED YOUR BABY AT TAKEOFF AND LANDING - This helps with their popped ears, and also helps to distract them so they don't get nervous or upset from the pressure. I made sure to have some formula ready in case Hudson got upset at both takeoff and landing.

4. TRY TO SCHEDULE A FLIGHT AROUND A TIME THEY SLEEP, OR PLAN THEIR NAPS AROUND THE FLIGHT - On our flight to California, it was super early in the morning so Hudson took his 1st and 2nd nap during the flight. The flight on our way home was trickier, because it was in the evening. He ended up sleeping the entire time, and then it was hard to put him down when we got home.

5. PURCHASE DIAPERS/ WIPES / FORMULA IN THE CITY YOU'RE TRAVELING TO - Depending on where you're going of course. We knew California had a baby store, so in order to save room in our suitcases, we just bought the necessities for the week when we arrived.

6. PLANE BATHROOMS ACTUALLY HAVE GOOD CHANGING TABLES - Yup, I was so nervous about this one, but it's true.

WHAT DID WE BRING FOR THE WEEK?

1. Burp Cloths: We always need these after feedings, so we brought a few for the week!

2. Maxi-Cosi carseat + base: Some travelers opt to not bring their carseat base, but we found it to be much easier than having to worry about properly seat belting the seat in by itself. We gate checked it, so it was super easy!

3. A sun hat: Love this one from Boden! A must in the desert sun!

4. Sunscreen: We were pretty OCD about making sure Hudson had sunscreen on, because it was so so hot!

5. Two bottles: Yup, we only brought two Medela bottles. We kept washing and reusing the same ones to save space.

6. Ergobaby 360 carrier: This was perfect for hikes!

7. Bugaboo stroller (we only brought the base, and used the carseat as the seat for the week)

8. Portable sound machine: There wasn't a plug in the van, so this was a life saver in getting Hudson to bed!

9. Changing station: Used this every day to change our little guy!

In California we bought diapers, wipes and formula to last us for the week. I hope this helps ease the stress for any of you moms out there with upcoming trips!

Renting a VW Westfalia Van / Photo Diary Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 21:39:00 +0000

I've received tons of questions during our trip to California about how we rented this beautiful 1979 VW Westfalia van! It's a dream that a lot of us little free-spirited hippies have had, and I am going to share with you how to make it your reality (even if only for a week!)

... Then I'll be back to share some of our favorite spots from our trip, as well as some outfits along the way!

We rented this beauty, also known as Honu Liu or "slow turtle" from Vintage Surfari Wagons. (No, this isn't sponsored, we found the company years ago and used them once before, and loved the trip!). Bill, the owner, is just a really nice guy who bought some VW vans to rent out years back, and now he has about a dozen of them. His garage is my HEAVEN.

How much did the trip cost? It cost us $1220 for the entire week + our flights to California. We lived in the van for the week, so we didn't have any other fees other than gas, the cost of some campgrounds that charge a nightly rate and food, but we cooked most meals in the VW! It's of course not as cheap as a roadtrip with an Airbnb near home, but it's also not as expensive as a trip abroad with different hotel fees each night.

What did we pack for the trip? We tried to back suuuper light this time around - we brought 2 sleeping bags (30 degree weather for cold desert nights), a flashlight, some camera gear, gear to charge our equipment and phones in the car and some easy to throw on outfits. Bill provided pillows, a heater, blankets, a cooler and some other necessities.)

What did we pack for Hudson? Traveling with a baby definitely adds more things to the list, and I will go into way more detail about this in a separate post, but for Hudson we brought his carseat + base, stroller (the carseat hooks into the base), ergobaby 360 carrier, Wildbird carrier, sunscreen, portable sound machine, 2 bottles and pronto changing pad. When we arrived, we stopped by a Babies R' Us and picked up a sunhat, formula, diaper and wipes (it was way easier to not bring all of these on the plane, and to just buy them when we arrived).

Sleeping in a van isn't for everyone, but if it is something you've dreamed about doing, than do it!!! This trip is SO worth every cent, and while it comes with it's annoyances, like having to shift things around in the van each night to sleep or cook, or not showering quite as much as you'd like, it's SO worth the experience of seeing and doing as much as you can all trip! More to come soon!

My 3 Favorite Baby Carriers + A VIDEO!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 12:00:00 +0000

THE SOLLY BABY WRAP ^^:

pros:

- I felt extremely comfortable and secure carrying Hudson around in this when he was a newborn, because it has incredible head support

- He won't outgrow it for a while

- It never hurts my back / good back support

- Stylish!!

- Easy to toss into a bag or the stroller basket because of how light it is!

cons:

- Even after you know how to wrap it, it's still time consuming and complicated to throw on on-the-go

- He can't face out in it

- Sometimes I think I still look pregnant wearing it, especially if it's with a coat, because his body is entirely in front of mine

when i use it most:

- This wrap was my favorite when Hudson was 0-3 months, and I used it mostly to calm him on colicky evenings around the house, or on long walks right out the door, when I didn't need to take the wrap on and off.

THE WILD BIRD ^^:

pros:

- SO easy to thread the sling, and so easy to put on and take off

- Fits easily into any bag, and great to take along for the ride

- He can sit facing inward or on my hip, which is amazing for use while I am cooking dinner and need to see in front of me

- The fabric is beautiful, and looks cute/ almost seems like part of my outfits!

cons:

- The only con is I find the ring sometimes sits too close to his face and he sucks on it. I know I can probably re-adjust so this won't happen, but once he is in, it makes him upset to start readjusting.

when i use it most:

- This wrap is my absolute favorite wrap. I wish I found it earlier! I use it for everything - while I cook, if I don't feel like getting the stroller out when I am running into a store, on road trips, etc. It easily pops on and off, and is really great!!

THE ERGOBABY 360 ^^:

pros:

- The inward facing is perfect for him to get cozy and take a nap, while the outward facing is great for when he wants to see the world!

- It is so easy to take on and off, and my go-to in a time crunch

- It's ergonomic

- My husband uses it as well (he thinks the other 2 are a bit feminine)

cons:

- It's bulky, and doesn't fit in my bag. It's hard to get a winter coat over it.

- Not as stylish as the other two

- Needs an infant insert when they're younger

when i use it most:

- This is my go-to carrier for quick convenience, like taking the dog for a walk. It's also great for hikes, since it is sturdier. If we are out at night, and we know Hudson is going to fall asleep, we use this carrier as well, because it offers great support while he naps.

A Video tutorial of how to put them on & how they look on: