Dooley Noted Style

Holiday 2020 Toy Guide - Part Two

2020-11-11T11:01:00.003-05:00

Ok gang, I had too many toy suggestions to share in one post so here is part two of our favorite toys. Will be a tough call this year to select only a few to buy!

Holiday 2020 Toy Guide

2020-11-10T14:00:00.040-05:00

I have searched every corner of the internet for our toys that we have enjoyed over the past year or more to share with you with the hopes it will help your holiday shopping. They aren't all pretty wood, gram-worthy toys (even though a few attractive ones did make the round up). These are the toys that my three year old tot has enjoyed for more then fifteen minutes of play or things we will be gifting him this year. I wanted to mention that I included some bath time toys too as my son is part fish and loves being in a tub with his toys. I also love the idea of a themed stocking and thought a bath themed stocking could be a hit for the littles this year. Bath bombs, crayons, light up bath toys and bath paint etc. All help elevate the bath time experience and give mom a little break in the day by just getting to watch them play. We also included some of our favorite toys we keep in the car or stroller to play with on little road trips out of the city to parks and beaches.

Happy Shopping!

Summer Rental

2018-02-16T13:31:00.000-05:00

Anyone remember the movie Summer Rental, good god I loved that movie. I even made my husband watch it recently because I talked about it so often. I live for 80's movies. They so much remind me of my childhood. Anywho...I am often asked about our rentals on Nantucket so I thought I would share them all here with links for you all to enjoy them too! We have been going to Nantucket well before being married or even engaged. I believe this will be our tenth summer this season where we can't wait to return with our mini to show him this happy little island in it's best time of year. Please feel free to ask me any questions about each home if you have them. I have provided online reviews for them but happy to be of any help I can be if you need help with planning a trip on island.

The below captain house we rented for a week during the fabulous Holiday Stroll this past year was a great location in town with walking distance to everything. The details of this home were bananas. They even decorated it beautifully for Christmas. They restored this home back to all it's glory with extreme attention to detail. It was absolutely beautiful, we so look forward to returning next Christmas. We even took our holiday card right on their porch!

In Town Captain House

The summer before we stayed at two separate homes and man both were really great. The below home is located just outside out of town but a very short drive to everything you want. Beaches, market, town etc. It is a new home with all the amenities you could wish for in a summer getaway.

out of town new construction

This in town home is not only an amazing location with parking - holla! It also huge, great for big families. Each bedroom has its own bathroom and the living space is cozy, new and comfortable. I wanted to move in. The yard is great for BBQ's or having any meal al fresco.

Last but certainly not least, this in town home is petite with a powerful punch. We stayed here for seven summers we loved it so much. Good lord we had SO many fun times in this house. We only stopped renting it because we needed more room with baby and didn't want to have him on a separate floor from us.

Happy Vacationing!

Welcoming John Aldrich Jr.

2018-01-17T18:29:00.000-05:00

I have wanted to share our sweet baby boys birth story, well since he was born but that little nugget just loves to be in arms so there has been very little time to sit down and actually blog {something I miss doing & hope to get back to}. Three months ago our lives changed forever as we welcomed our much awaited son into the world. Our hearts bursted out of our chests the second we heard his sweet cry. While it's not a very dramatic story like his gender reveal it's one I wanted to document and share with you all as this little community has supported me every step of the way to becoming a mom. Below is how it all went down for us.

If we are friends on instagram you know I was carrying a big boy. I had a very large belly and my last ultrasound before he was born had indicated that he was measuring eleven pounds. So I was an automatic scheduled ceserean for October 6th at 9am. I made that week my last week to tie up all our loose ends and even indulge in a massage to help keep my anxiety at bay. I told everyone close to me that was the day I was having my boy. Little did I know that even planned births don't go as planned.

I woke up October 3rd, ready to get to my last OB appointment before the baby would be here. One last sonogram where I would annoyingly ask the ultrasound technician for another 3D shot of my baby because I just couldn't get enough of seeing him. I felt pretty great for someone who was 39 weeks pregnant but I hadn't felt the baby move all that much that day and casually mentioned it to my Dr. as we were leaving the appointment. Even though his heart rate was right where it should have been she submitted me for one more non stress test and sure enough, I failed. The baby didn't move at all. I tried juice, snacks, moving positions pressing on him...nothing. Little bugger was likely asleep but when the nurse called in the Dr to review my results I knew things weren't going smoothly. Sure enough I was sent right to Brigham & Women's Hospital where I was immediately admitted and put on all the monitors and of course my sweet boy started kicking me. The Dr. on call came in and goes, everything looks fine now but were going to have this baby today. John looked at me and me back at him and we were both silent in shock. We kinda expected that once we had movement we would be going home. Nope. Since this was now a non scheduled cesarean I had to wait for the OR to be cleared and all the snacks from the non stress test to be digested. So even though I was admitted at 1pm I couldn't get into the operating room till at least 7pm. So there I was totally unprepared to have my baby that day but alas, he was coming. Mild back contractions started happening and rotations of medical staff started coming in to prep me for the surgery. John ran home to get our packed hospital bags and return back to me in time for the birth. I made calls to my family and texts to my closest friends what was happening. Then before I knew it I was walking into a neon room of lights getting my epidural and spinal tap injected into my back and strapped into a very cold table. Let me tell you, I hated having my legs strapped down, it was awful. I tried to fight the feeling of being held down but man, I remember that being the worst feeling ever. Little tests with a needle were poked around my body to see if I still had feeling in my belly or sides. I was still feeling the needle but they assured me I was ready to go. They brought in my husband and surgery began. It was fairly quick to get the baby out thank goodness. We had opted for a gentle cesarean so I was able to see him right away and hold him briefly through a clear sheet. It was wonderful. When he didn't cry in the first second I asked the Dr. jokingly said "he was just born, give him a second" and sure enough he screamed the most beautiful cry I have ever heard. John stayed by my head the entire time and just kept saying oh my god, he's here over and over. About a minute later I told John to stay with the baby while they finished me up. I unfortunately lost an ovary and tube in the surgery due to some cysts {likely from IVF} so the remainder of the surgery was pretty awful. I started shaking, was sicker then I ever have been and was really hating all the pulling and pressure I was feeling on my insides. Never in pain but man, that pulling I will never forget. Our sweet boy was taken to the NICU for the first few hours of his life for some breathing issues where I told John to follow them and not leave his side. He then started recording sweet videos of the two of them that I will cherish forever. I was reunited with them both later that night and we brought our sweet little boy home five days later. A few photos of those previous first few moments of meeting our son and a few days later as a family at home are below.
Thanks for all the well wishes that were sent our way. We are so grateful.

waiting to meet with the Dr. & watching his heartbeat/my contractions on the monitors

"little" ol' me about to go in to meet my boy

John suiting up for the operating room

John Aldrich Jr is here October 3rd, 2017 at 8:41pm, weighing 9lb 4oz

the moment I got to feel my son, the most wonderful feeling of my life

we are family

the day after he was born oma & opa visited along with my siblings

John with his parents

after the company left mom got some snuggles

the day we left the hospital

two weeks at home

Baby Boy Dooley - Boston Baby Shower

2017-08-31T18:15:00.002-04:00

This past weekend was surely one for the books! My mom and dad hosted one last celebration for baby boy Dooley here in Boston. While my NY baby shower consisted of all family, this was one was a day of friends that feel like family. Just as the Bridgehampton shower, it was a total dream where I was surrounded by incredible woman who showered me and our baby boy to be so much love. It was truly heartwarming to see so many people who are important to me take time out of their busy schedules to celebrate this precious gift we are about to receive in five short weeks. I couldn't believe that people who just had their own babies spent the afternoon with us, so many people traveled in from out of state and even a few left vacation to join in on the fun. There were ao many helpers in one room offering incredible advice, reassurance that we got this and support for the future. It's pretty awesome to know so many people are rooting you on and wishing you the best as you embark on something that feels oh so wonderfully scary. I feel pretty damn lucky to have so many women in my life who make me feel so special. Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate this very loved baby boy. We are eternally grateful for each and everyone of you! xo Heidi, John

favors & place card seating for guests to take home

edible treat bags for guests to take home

signature cocktail "baby botanist"

sweet treats on the bar for anyone needing a chocolate fix

all the people who made this day super special & one I will never forget

my precious family

my Boston crew

my college roommates

baby boy getting kisses from his aunties

a big thank you to my husband for packing up and carrying home one hundred gifts

my sweet & hilarious sorority sisters

my lovely Beacon Hill ladies

Event Space: Ostra // Centerpieces & Garland: Winstons Flowers // Terrariums Place Card Holders & Favors // Succulents & Moss in Terrariums: Rouvalis Flowers // Paper Goods & Calligraphy: Emily A. Howell // Mom To Be Chair Sign & Cake Topper // Chocolate Tiles // Gold Speckled Favor Bags // Gold Mini Clips // Cake: Mayflour Confections // Gold Lace Cake Stand // Gold Wire Bowls // Gold Baby Balloon // White Tassel Balloon // Stripe Straws // Cloud Drink Stirrers // Brass Frames // Mom to Be Dress: Zimmermann

Baby Boy Dooley - Bridgehampton Baby Shower

2017-08-08T23:05:00.001-04:00

This past weekend my family and friends came together to celebrate our baby boy to be and I am still floating on cloud nine from all the love we received. It honestly felt like a combination of my birthday, our wedding day and christmas all in one moment. I don't think I stopped smiling the entire day. Being surrounded by so many of the incredible women who I have known my entire life spoiling our baby to be was a very surreal feeling to say the least. Everyone sharing stories of when they were starting their families, raising their kids and their birth stories was so lovely. I love learning new things from the women I have known forever. Having all my siblings and their families under one roof for the weekend leading up to the big day was also a special time I will cherish forever. It was a true family effort by every single person to make this day perfect for me and I will never forget that. A special heartfelt thank you to my mom and dad who made the day possible by hosting a celebration that exceeded all my dreams, love you guys! Some of the photos of our special day and details on where you can get everything is listed at the bottom of the post. Nine weeks till this sweet baby boy is in my arms....life is good.

guests took home ginger jar cookies and bow trinket dishes as a thank you

the best 25 New York women I know & love

dress // shoes // clutch

Baby Dooley - Gender Reveal

2017-05-02T12:21:00.000-04:00

Some friends & family may be reading this and being all..."what the what? I thought you were having a girl!" Yeah, so did we my entire first trimester! Here's how it all went down, quite possibly the craziest thing to happen to us. Thanks to genetic testing our embryo pre-transfer via IVF the gender was identified but unknown to us till about week six of my pregnancy where the anticipation of wondering what my baby was killing me and I decided I couldn't wait any longer. While my husband was taking a shower I called my IVF nurse and asked her to look up my babies gender. She called me back and said "are you sure you want to know?" "I said yes", she continued on "it's a girl, congratulations". I was in shock! I was SO certain it was a boy. I kept dreaming of having a son, all the predictors I did online said boy and my gut just kept telling me you are having a boy. I immediately shared the news with my husband and we were both thrilled. We started planning on how we would tell our families that a fifth little lady was joining our crew. Before heading to NY to share the news I emailed the nurse one more time to confirm the gender because I just felt SO sure it wasn't a girl {how crazy is a mothers intuition}. So in writing she confirmed once again, "your file says XX and that means girl". So we purchased little pink shoes, pink outfits and her coming home from the hospital outfit for our parents to unwrap as her gender reveal. We shared the news with everyone and the family was over the moon. We recorded the reactions, shared our name and started picking out everything for a little baby girls nursery.

Fast forward to my fourteen week OB appointment where we are read results from our MaterniT21 testing and the nurse asked me if I wanted to know the gender. I responded that we knew and were expecting a little girl. The rest of the conversation went a little like this.

Nurse: Your expecting a little girl? {a huge look of puzzlement on her face}. Let's verify all your information to make sure I am looking at the right file. You are Heidi A. Dooley right?

Me: Yes I am Heidi, that is all my information and here is an email from my IVF nurse saying I am having a girl.

Nurse: I will be right back.

Me: {slightly freaking out and looking at my husband} WTF is going on right now?!

Nurse & OB enter the room

OB: So we have test results that say the baby is a male and this test is 99% accurate. Let's try calling your IVF Dr, & see what is going on.

Me: Holy Crap, this is crazy. I was right. I knew I was having a boy all along! {John is in silently in shock in the corner of the room}

We eventually got the IVF Doctor on the phone to which he confirmed that an admin incorrectly marked the wrong gender on my file but that the original lab report from the first round of genetic testing proved that my one and only healthy embryo was a male and that was in fact the one transferred. To say we were in shock was a real understatement. I couldn't believe that this human error of data entry had us thinking we were having a daughter for my entire first trimester, it was a real trip. It kinda felt surreal to be told all over again something totally different then what you had planned for the last few months. So here we were starting over, making several returns of pink items for blue, explaining to friends and family..."oh hey, remember when I told you we were having a girl...well it's actually a boy" and starting fresh with our nursery plans.

We are very happy to report that baby boy dooley will be making us parents this October and we are so in love with our little man.

custom calendar // balloons // teether // shoes

Our Path To Parenthood

2017-02-09T09:05:00.000-05:00

card // candy

This post has been almost two years in the making. I am so happy to share that John and I are expectingour first child! We are truly in shock and a bit nervous to actually celebrate this amazing news considering the twenty two months of disappointment we just went through. However since I decided to share our path to parenthood with you all publicly, I felt it wouldn't be fair to not share how it all turned out. So here I am taking a giant leap of faith and spilling our very early pregnancy news with all of you. I am officially pregnant!

We are so grateful for all of you that supported us, cheered us on, prayed for us, lit candles for us at church, dropped food at our house when I wasn't feeling well, gave recommendations for books, acupuncture & meditation, sent baby dust to carry on me for good luck, gave me their lucky charms till I no longer needed them, called in favors to labs for us to make sure the very best was tending to our little embryo, offered their ears, their tissues, their own personal stories of tragedy and triumph. There aren't enough words to properly to describe how much you all helped me through this challenging time. You all lifted me when I was drowning in the isolating world of IVF and trying to handle it all in secrecy. The best thing I ever did was put my story out there and connect with others who knew how it all felt. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love and support, it meant worlds to me & we will still take all those well wishes and prayers for the next nine months if you are offering them!

Now onto the details for those who are interested. I saw Dr. Bayer at Boston IVF in Brookline & I absolutely adored him. He was not only kind and sensitive but he was so patient with me and all of my questions & concerns. Even his nurse was great at putting up with me and my daily inquisitions via email. Our first round of IVF was seven eggs retrieved, one fertilized and that made it to day five blastocyst. It however wasn't viable for transfer due to a chromosomal abnormality. Our second round we had fourteen eggs retrieved and five fertilized. When those five went to genetic testing we were told only one was viable and about two weeks ago our one and only babe was transferred into my uterus. It was amazing, John was able to join me in the "OR" and We saw a little puff of light pop on the ultrasound screen letting us know the embryo made its way nto my belly. During the brutal waiting period I did everything I read about helping the implantation process along. I ate pineapple like it was my job, I wore extra warm socks everywhere including to sleep {which I loathe, holy claustrophobia}. I went to acupuncture pre-transfer and post transfer as well as every forty eight hours for the first five days {some people believe this helps with implantation success}, I ate tons of warm foods, took long walks everyday and so on...pretty much you name it, I did it. The night before our first pregnancy test I broke down into tears, wondering if all my efforts were for nothing. How many rounds would I have to go through to get our baby. Would my impending 38th birthday make the process more difficult moving forward. All the pressure and self doubt that comes with the IVF process was officially crumbling on me and I just expected that the following day we would be back to square one. Luckily for us, the blood work came back within a few hours and when I saw my doctor's number pop up on my phone I thought I was going to be sick. Then I heard the nurses voice say "I have good news" the most massive amount of tears started rolling down my face. I then got to wake up my husband with the news he was going to be a father and that everything we had been through was finally worth it. We called our parents & a few friends who gave us the most beautiful reactions that I'll cherish forever.

I have since had two blood tests three days apart to make sure my HCG levels were rising appropriately and luckily the results were very good. So that is our news! I am 4 weeks & 6 days pregnant. We get our first ultrasound at the end of this month. Now I just need to learn to not hold my breath for the next 35 weeks. I wake up everyday having to remind myself that this is real, that it actually happened, that every little sensation I have in my body is actually preparation for a human to grow inside of me. So while I don't fully trust my body yet after it's betrayal on me last Spring and I was super nervous about sharing our news too soon, I am however truly trying my best to remain positive and hopeful that our hard work paid off and this is finally our turn. We are so happy little baby Dooley will be joining our family October 2017!

Gifted - Engagement Box

2017-01-28T22:22:00.002-05:00

They say engagement season collides with the holiday season and wedding season starts come the warm weather. So this in between time is the perfect time to celebrate engagements, showers and bachelorettes. I was so happy to receive a call a few weeks ago that a friend from college was recently engaged. I wanted to put together a little gift that celebrates this special time for the bride to be.

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nail polish // mini emergency kit // bling wipes // ring dish // chocolate bar // wood box // filler // washi tape // wish paper // champagne bubbles

more engagement gift ideas

more boxed gift ideas

spa day in a box // breakfast in bed // date night in a box // happy hour in a box

Send A Little Sweetness

2017-01-26T13:20:00.001-05:00

A quick hello to give you all an update. Yesterday went really well with our frozen embryo transfer. I am feeling great and very hopeful for good results in a few weeks. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the well wishes & support.

I wanted to share a fun little company I came across called Greetabl. This online service allows you to go beyond the traditional greeting card and send something truly special to your favorite people. I thought this concept would be especially fun for Valentines Day but really can be customized to send for any holiday. It's easy to create, super wallet friendly and the recipient will love the bespoke details made just for them. Here's how it works, you pick out a stylish gift box from a slew of awesome designs, then pick your gift filling {everything from petite sweets to divine smelling candles}, upload your three favorite photos & add your message to the recipient {they even have tools to help you with that} and your done! I personally cannot wait to make these for my nieces this Valentines day, so much more personal then the typical $20 in a hallmark card {which I know they also love}. I adore that the little photos can be easily torn out of the card and even can be linked from your Instagram to upload your favorite snaps. If you are short on time & want to have a pre-made box sent ASAP, check out some of the super cute ideas below.

Life Lately

2017-01-23T16:45:00.000-05:00

image via Fuel

I know I have been a BAD blogger. I haven't even opened my blogger account since before the Christmas holiday. Not only was I feeling a bit lost on the inspiration front of things to share on this little corner of the web, I simply just didn't have the energy to write about little things I usually do. I felt my mind was heavy with the task at hand of trying to get pregnant. The thought of of writing about light hearted things such as travel, fashion, home design and anything else for that matter just felt insignificant to what we have been going through. So life lately has been all about self care, physically & mentally. Taking time the time to get myself ready physically and mentally for our next step in the IVF process.

Right before the holiday we found out that out of the five embryos we had sent for genetic testing only one came back chromosomally viable. Two had to be retested and one of those two was lost in the thawing out process {which really bites}. So come the new year right around the date when our first pregnancy would have been due I started the next round of medicine to get my body ready for our frozen embryo transfer of our one & only healthy embryo. In the month of prepping my body there has been several invasive and sometimes very painful exams making sure my uterus is a nice home for a baby, several medicines to help the process and even a few tearful break downs of my part trying to manage the stress and pressure of it all. We took a quick getaway out of the city to Vermont to try to relax and decompress, I have been practicing yoga, continuing my weekly soul cycle addiction, fertility acupuncture & reading all I can to make sure that I am literally doing everything I can to be my healthiest come transfer day.

Despite a few setbacks that had us nervous we would have to start all over. Today we got our instructions and Wednesday morning we are transferring our little embryo baby into my womb and I am having ALL the emotions. While I am so excited to have made it to this step of the process {I never thought I would have}, I also am terrified of the thawing out process failing us {again}, frightened that it overall won't work and I will have to start this long ass process all over again. Frustrated that I will have to wait a couple weeks to find out if it worked, nervous that if I am pregnant that I will miscarry again. The list goes on and on. The amount of fear I feel weighs so heavy on my mind and my heart but I'm really trying to focus on all the positives in our favor and knowing I did everything I could to make this a successful cycle.

So while the blog will be taking the back seat for a little while, I do appreciate all the support I have been given from friends, family & the people I don't know personally but have reached out through the blog, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your calls, texts, emails & well wishes. It feels like a big virtual hug knowing we have such a great cheering section rooting us on our path to parenthood. I hope to update you all next month with some good news!

Christmas in Boston

2016-12-15T10:59:00.000-05:00

Every year the day after Thanksgiving I helped my mom decorate our home for the Christmas holiday. She always wanted the house decked as soon as possible which is a trait that was most definitely passed down to me. Since the weekend after Thanksgiving meant the egg retrieval for my second round of IVF, I enlisted the help of Boston Pollen for the garland, centerpiece and wreath as well as Winston's for our tree. It was the perfect pick me up to have the house looking festive when I got home. I put together a few of my favorite corners of the apartment that I added a touch of holiday decor. It honestly makes me never want to leave the house, it feels so cozy inside. Oh & our holiday card at the bottom that we shot while on Nantucket for the Christmas Stroll.

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Holiday Gift Guide - For The Fellas

2016-12-14T15:36:00.000-05:00

Got a guy who likes to take care of himself with products, look no further then this luxurious skincare set & dopp kit to store it all in.

I am dying to get my guy in a moto jacket. I love the soft leather look of this one & the quilted look of this one which is also a great deal.

Got yourself an outdoorsy fella? Patagonia makes the best of the best gear. I love this puffer and this backpack and this hat for all his adventures.

Calling all cocktail connoisseur's. This bourbon of the month kit is sure to be a hit, but if that is not his bag, there certainly is something for him on this foodie site.

If your favorite guy is anything like mine, he will love a drone. DJI makes the best ones and this version was one of my husbands favorites.

Bought my husband these shoes earlier this year & he loves how comfortable they are.

I love the look of this digital camera with it's vintage style and modern technology.

Can't go wrong with a great pair of jeans, cute button down & a shawl color sweater/sweatshirt.

I gave my husband these slippers for our trip to upstate NY and they were a fast favorite. Make the gift a perfect pair and give it with some pajamas.

Your guy into music? How about a retro record player and or luxury head phones.

Shinola does it again with this timeless watch and iPhone case.

A Burberry wallet in a classic plaid that is a luxurious gift but not screaming it's brand.

Classic aviators for timeless style.

A hat, gloves & scarf set to stay warm in.

A easy breezy roller suitcase for the guy on the go.

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Spa Day In A Box

2016-12-12T22:58:00.000-05:00

When it comes to gift giving, I always like to shop for others with things I personally like to use. So when it came time to put together a gift for a friend this holiday season that was going through a stressful time I knew I wanted to go for a relaxation theme and gift items that would allow a spa day at home. Delicious smelling products in a dreamy salt air scent, bath salts for sore body, an aromatic candle for ambience and some cozy pajamas to get comfy in post bath. I just adore gifting a themed gift box, whether it be happy hour in a box, a date night in or breakfast in bed...it's easy to put together something special for someone to indulge in at home. Short on time?! Check out these gift box services who will wrap them up pretty for you here, here & here.

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lotion // body wash // soap // bath salts // candle // matches // pants // top

Holiday Gift Guide - For The Ladies

2016-12-07T20:05:00.001-05:00

When I started this blog five years ago my husband teased me that I was solely writing about things that I wanted, he called it my endless shopping wish list. While I told him that wasn't true since I often write about things I wish I was adventurous enough to wear or had the bod to pull off. However today I would be happy to admit that I would be pretty pleased if any of these gifts made their way down the chimney at my house this Christmas.

These fun faux fur pom key chains will help make finding your keys at the bottom of your bag a lot more cute.

I shared my favorite pajamas here, these are a bit more of a luxe version and coordinating slippers never hurt. More sleepwear options here.

These earrings are a much more wallet friendly version of the famous les bon bons.

This little bag haunts me. I see it everywhere in every color but the red is fitting for the season.

A cozy plaid poncho for wrapping up in.

This adjustable length bracelet is a favorite of mine with it's ease to put on solo.

A pretty lace top in black or white would look beautiful on your gal for new years.

We love having Shinola here in Boston. This double wrap watch is one to want.

These slightly distressed denim with the very on trend step hem is a must in a gal's wardrobe. Found a great look a like with extended sizes here.

A chic floppy hat in a neutral color goes with everything. More options here.

Don't know what fragrance she loves, well this sampler set will definitely fit the bill. I can attest to the fact that they all smell incredible. I also love these little guys for travel.

A classic silk dress that will never go out of style is a perfect gift to give with a promise of night out on the town.

These shoes are some sexy shizzz...love them. Also come in flats for a more practical style.

This faux fur jacket looks like the real deal with zero guilt, it also has the yummiest sweatshirt liner that makes this coat extra comfy.

These simple yet super stylish sunnies are everything. Duplicates for $55 here.

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Holiday Gift Guide - For The Littles

2016-12-06T22:18:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite gift guides to compose is that for the kiddos in our life. I have always enjoyed shopping for my nieces and even though they aren't so little anymore I still hope to through in an element of surprise with their gifts. There literally is something for everyone here, from babies to toddlers to big kids. Happy Shopping!

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Holiday pajamas are a big gift in our house. I love these ones for boys and these for girls.

Got a little in the big apple? How cute is this coffee cup toy? I also love this NYC block {other cities available here}.

This would have been right up my ally as a kid, a jewelry kit filled with beads to get creative with.

These adorable animal speakers are so cute for a kids room. I think the panda is my favorite.

Who doesn't love a great big coloring book? Especially with scented markers. This colored pencil set is also adorable.

This colorful dome tent is the perfect kid hangout. I am pretty sure I would have hid in there all day with all my toys when I was younger.

I had to include a drone. This one is perfect for the littles to get used to a flying object.

I wish this sweatshirt came in my size. Definitely need.

This ride on scooter converts to a kick scooter as your little grows.

This jacket & doll combo is sweet beyond words.

I am obsessed with these superhero capes for kiddos. Good god they are adorable. Check them all out here.

These Jellycat plush dolls are soft & stylish. The ostrich is my favorite but really they are all cute.

Star Wars bedding for the science fiction addicts.

A bright microscope for the kiddos interested in science. {cheaper version here}

Saw that this dragon was on the hot toy list so scoop it up before its gone!

Got a reader on your hands? This set of the classics is a great way to start a library.

This mouse in a matchbox is too cute for words. Don't get me started on the cigar box set with the mom & dad.

Cash or Credit

2016-11-28T14:42:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday friends! I know getting back into the work cycle after a long week really bites but I also hope you are all starting to take advantage of the incredible sales online. I put together a little outfit inspiration for a look for less that I like to call cash or credit. I just love the color combination of this army green with the pink faux fur hood. I was so thrilled to find it at two very different price points. The best part, most of the outfit below is marked down even further for all the cyber Monday sales. Happy Shopping!

cash - jacket // sweater // bag // flats // denim
credit - jacket // sweater // bag // flats // denim

Black Friday Sales

2016-11-25T17:58:00.002-05:00

Hi friends, I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I am late to the game today as my guests just left but wanted to put together my annual list of sales, coupon codes and deals of all the incredible Black Friday sales. I just picked up this sweater for myself - oops. Oh & my favorite flats are seriously reduced here, I am kicking myself for paying full price. Happy Shopping!

image via Ikea

Abercrombie & Fitch - Entire Store 50% Off {Online Only}

American Eagle - 40% off

Ann Taylor - 50% off Sitewide and In Store

CODE: CELEBRATE

Anthropologie - 30% off sitewide

ASOS - 30% off sitewide

CODE: THANKFUL30

Bailey44 - 40% off sitewide

CODE: BLACKFRIYAY

Banana Republic - 50% off 5 regular-priced items sitewide

Barneys New York - 40% off sitewide

BaubleBar - 30% off purchases

CODE: SAVE35

Bergdorf Goodman - 40% off sitewide

BirchBox - Sales starting at 10% off

Bloomingdale’s - Extra 25% off a large selection of items sitewide

Boden - 30% off + free shipping and returns

CODE: CYBER2016

Coach - 30% Off select styles

CODE: THANKS2016

Express - 50% off everything In Store and Sitewide + Free Shipping

Francesca’s - 30% off sitewide

GiGi New York - Receive a gift card up to 35% of your purchase PLUS a personalized leather case

Gorjana - 30% off curated category

Hollister Co. - Entire Store 50% Off Sitewide and In Store

J.Crew - 40% off sitewide {collection excluded}

CODE: HOLIDAY

LOFT - 40% off Sitwide

CODE: THANKS

Lulu Frost - 25% off sitewide and 20% off fine jewelry

CODE: FINE20

Madewell - 25% off sitewide

CODE: THATSALE

Nordstrom - Take an extra 20% off selected sale items

Serena and Lily - 25% off sitewide

CODE: BESTEVER

Shopbop - Spend $200+, get 15% off; Spend $500+, get 20% off; Spend $800+, get 25% off

CODE: GOBIG16

Steve Madden - 30% off + 30% off clearance

CODE: BACKINBLACK

Tommy Hilfiger - 50% Off Sitewide

CODE: CLICK50

Tory Burch - 30% off any purchase of $250+

CODE: THANKS

Urban Outfitters - Buy one get one 50% Off ALL apparel

Etsy Love - Christmas Gift Wrap

2016-11-23T10:19:00.000-05:00

Last year I chose to wrap my gifts above with the beautiful calligraphy paper from The Hive Studio, a lovely little calligraphy shop on Etsy. While I am still totally enamored with the above look and plan on using up all the extra paper we have again this year, I have been on the hunt for some additional gift wrap option from Etsy sellers. A few of my favorites are below.

I am absolutely obsessed with this colorful chinoiserie paper that literally covers your packages with beautiful art.

more of the beautiful Hive Studio work

simple typography paper is modern and clean

skip the traditional colors and opt for this ho ho ho paper

What is black, white & red all over? A Newspaper! haha. For some reason that joke from childhood has stayed far too long in my memory & when I saw this cute paper with holiday doodles and words of the season I knew it was one to share.

dancing deer with a pretty vintage quality on the prettiest palette

shop all the above & more with the links below

Holiday Gift Guide - For the Host & Hostess

2016-11-21T21:09:00.002-05:00

I know it's hard to think about gift guides before Thanksgiving has graced us but the truth is the holiday season is upon us. As we start receiving invitations to festive parties you will quickly realize how nice it is to have something on hand to gift the host or hostess. The best part is that everything is under $60! So instead of gifting the usual bottle of wine {ideas below on how to even jazz that up} why not give something a little extra to the person who so thoughtfully put together an evening to create special memories.

oven mitt set // planner // pens // cake stand // candle // plaid throw // puzzle // monogrammed mug // candy stirrers // pancake molds // pancake mix // syrup & holder // celebrate everything book // cutting boards // coasters // wine bottle labels // wine tote

Kate Spade is undoubtedly the queen of quirkiness and her holiday line of goods for the kitchen is so adorable. I love this trio of oven mitts and this apron and recipe book also are great additions.

Sugar Paper killed it again with their line with Target. I absolutely love this planner and pen set for helping keeping a busy host/hostess organized.

Bringing a dessert to a party this year? Why not bring it on a beautiful cake stand for pretty displaying. Love this red Le Creuset but also love these other options too.

A candle is a trusty gift for any occasion. I love giving them in a festive scent that matches the time of year we are in. There is also a great selection of seasonal scents here.

Wrap a pretty ribbon around this plaid throw and your gift is ready to give.

Who doesn't love a puzzle, a fun gift for the family to do together especially one that when completed turns into something pretty.

Have a host/hostess who loves to cook. I adore gifts that are sets. Why not give them the gift of breakfast with the most adorable pancake molds, mix, and delicious syrup and petite pitcher.

Something monogrammed had to make the list. Adore these gilded mugs and the candy stirrers are the perfect partner to gift a pretty duo.

Some of my favorite housewarming gifts have been books to enjoy. I think this celebrate everything would be a big hit for anyone who likes to host. I personally enjoyed this one & this one too.

Dying over these marble cutting boards & coasters. They are so gorgeous & feminine. Who wouldn't want them?!

Finally embellish you wine gift with a fun holiday label or wine tote to make your gift little extra special.

shop the post & more with the links below

Thank you

2016-11-21T10:09:00.001-05:00

thank you note card

Before heading back to normal programming {holiday gift guides coming right up} I wanted to write a big warm heartfelt thank you to everyone who reached out regarding my post on our journey to hopefully become parents. While I wish that there wasn't so many woman facing the struggle of starting, growing or deciding if they want a family all together, the truth is that we all have a similar situation in common and the lesson learned is that we are certainly not alone. I was wonderfully overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, love and understanding that came my way after sharing our story. To everyone who emailed me and trusted me with their own story, to the friends who texted that they are cheering for us. To the gals who offered to send books that helped them, recommendations on doctors in the area. To the woman who shared their success stories of IVF and shared photos of their smiling babies. I am so grateful for each & everyone of you. I fully understand why we don't discuss such things. It's soooo damn depressing and sad but the truth is we are all bursting at the seams wanting to talk about what we are going through. Bottling up all those feelings inside of us is just is too much to bear on our own. I am very aware my story isn't tragic. I wish I didn't know women who have had to deal with more severe situations then us but I do. Those are the women who inspired me to share my feelings. They encouraged me to start a conversation and I hope to keep that one going through our journey. Thank you everyone for all the thoughtful and encouraging words. The emails, the calls and the texts, I woke up the next day to so much love. I am so grateful to be supported by so many incredible women. Oh & to the few fellas that reached out, you are awesome too. We are now off to round two of our IVF journey. I'll be occasionally be updating our process as things happen for us to keep our story going. I am also here for anyone who wants to talk, please feel free to reach out to me at heidi@dooleynotedstyle.com anytime. xo.

Our Path to Parenthood

2016-11-17T20:21:00.001-05:00

Dear Lady,

I will never have words to thank you for the physical and emotional suffering you are enduring for our family. You are the strongest person I have ever known. Always remember how proud I am to call you my wife and how deeply loved you will always be.

All my love, John

I don't share too many personal bits here on the blog. I tend to keep the content light, fill it with pretty things and not indulge too much of what is going on in our life outside of travel. However, today that is all about to change. A few weeks ago I read this quote "If you're afraid to write it, thats a good sign. I suppose you know you're writing the truth when you're terrified" and ever since then I have had a strong urge to write and share the incredibly challenging journey me and my husband have been facing for the past year and a half to become parents. The above words from my love might just be my greatest gift I have ever been given...unconditional love and devotion when you literally feel you are at your worst. It arrived on a day last week where I was falling apart emotionally and physically and was just the lift I needed to power through. Our story is below.

It all started around late Spring 2015 as we approached four years of marriage and decided that we were ready to start trying for a family. We tried and tried the good old fashioned way for ten months when we found out in April that I was pregnant. It was by far the happiest moment of my life, staring down at several tests of two little pink lines made my heart so full. I couldn't believe all our dreams were coming true and that I was going to be a mom. Then a very two short weeks later I miscarried and all of that baby happiness was robbed from us. I was completely crushed. There would be no telling our moms on mothers day they were going to have another grand baby, no turning the guest room into a nursery, no gushing to my friends that I soon would be part of the ever exclusive mom tribe. It was all gone and I felt filled with guilt and empty at the same time. After a horrible ordeal of getting the pregnancy completely out of my system we were put on a "trying to conceive" hold by our doctor. We were told to go enjoy our summer and discuss next steps in September. So while we tried to indulge in the simple pleasures of summertime there was always the pain of our loss lingering in the back of our minds. We didn't tell too many people which made for a very isolating experience. I felt alone and sad but unable to talk about it. Would I be judged for being overly sad at an early pregnancy loss. Would expectations be put on me to get back to normal if I had opened up. It felt safer to keep it all in and only share my story with a few close friends and family. I felt angry that my body failed me and my husband. I felt as a woman I was supposed to be able to create life, I was supposed to have control over my body, we are supposed to be able to turn the men we love into father's. Instead I had zero control and felt utterly helpless. It is by the far the hardest thing I have ever faced.

So there we were again, in a holding pattern. The ultimate waiting game. It kind of feels like you are in a dream where you are running as fast as you can but aren't going anywhere. We started all sorts of infertility testing, making sure I was healthy to proceed with trying for another baby. IVF seemed to be our best option and after everything came back looking good we were off on our first round of hormone shots, numerous doctor appointments and the hopes that we would create a baby. Being a newbie to IVF, I truly believed that if I just did everything the doctor told me that it would work. I lost weight, I worked out several days a week. I gave up drinking, caffeine and anything else they told me that could be harmful to my ability to reproduce. I did everything I was told only to find out round one was a total failure. We retrieved seven eggs, only one fertilized and after genetic testing came back with chromosonal imbalances. That one little embryo baby I already was so fiercely rooting for wasn't going to be a viable pregnancy. So yet again we found ourself in another waiting game. A hold to start the next round where the shots are more often and the meds are stronger. I often find the waiting to be the hardest part, first it was waiting to see if your pregnant, waiting when you are pregnant to get good news from a dr. waiting to heal from your pregnancy loss...waiting, waiting, waiting. For anyone who knows me it should come as no surprise that I truly need to work on my patience.

I wanted to share my story as a way to reach out to other woman who may have been also experiencing loss of a pregnancy or fertility issues. While I would never wish this on any woman to ever experience I have found so much comfort in connecting with others about their own journeys to start a family and wish I had known them sooner. I know sharing their story publicly isn't for everyone but I promise to keep your privacy and just want you to know you are not alone. Please feel free to reach out to me heidi@dooleynotedstyle.com if you ever want to talk. If you are interested in following our journey I will be sharing updates on our journey via instagram and occasionally back here on the blog.

Quotes of comfort and a campaign that I have found friends with similar stories can be found here. If you know of anyone experiencing a pregnancy loss or fertility issues check out these cards or some of the quotes I found below. Offer them your ear. Tell them you are there for them. Reach out once in a while and let them know they are loved. Believe they need all the tenderness they can get.

sign

passages like the one below can be found in this book

i woke up thinking the work was done

i would not have to practice today

gone were the moments i'd

split into tears because my past cracked open

how naive. to think it was that easy.

healing has no end point

no summation

no finish line to cross

healing is everyday work

the act of dedicating the self to

surviving what happened to me

-rupi kaur

Thanksgiving Wear

2016-11-07T20:15:00.001-05:00

This year we are hosting our family for Thanksgiving in Boston. Since we are dining out I am torn about what to wear this year. Considering the holiday is one that is based around indulgence in delicious stuffing, mashed potatoes and pie. I would say it's safe to say key is comfort. While most of us would be thrilled to be in our loosest of clothing I put together three looks that will help hide your Thanksgiving food baby wether it be under a loose blouse, a comfortable sweater or a ruffled dress :).

coat // earrings // clutch // pumps // blouse // denim // belt

sweater coat // watch // boots // clutch // turtleneck // skirt // earrings

dress // sandals // earrings // clutch // blazer

Boot Season

2016-11-02T13:58:00.002-04:00

Confession, I loathe boots. I know, I know...I am weird. I also hate socks but will save that for another day {or more importantly not even bore you with that another day}. You will find me always wearing my beloved flats till the first snowflake falls. I refuse to be in those torture chambers a second sooner that I have to be. However living in Boston means I lose my battle with the boot pretty early on and will succumb to shoes that will protect my piggies from being numb. Thankfully this season there are a plethora of boots that offer style and function. What a concept! I rounded up my top three in each category to get you covered from a chic knee boot to an adorable waterproof suede bootie as well as the essential snow boot for our annual blizzards in these parts.

knee boots - one // two // three
booties - one // two // three
duck boots - one // two // three
moto boots - one // two // three
snow boots - one // two // three

shop all the above & more with the images below

Dining Dilemmas

2016-10-30T21:45:00.000-04:00

As we are halfway into our second year in our new home I still can't believe how I haven't made my mind up on so much of the decorating. One item that has been on my to do list was finding new dining chairs. Since we spend most of our time in the open concept main room where the kitchen, the living rom and dining room are all in, it seems sensible to have those pieces be first priority. Since we want to stay here as long as possible while we search for a forever home to purchase I still want the decor to reflect our personal style. So I am turning to you all for your insight and help in selecting a new chair for our main room dining. Our dilemma lies with all the varieties of wood in one room which has me leaning towards an upholstered chair to break up the off white kitchen, the dark mahogany built in's and coordinate it to the color of the table top. Which one of the six is your favorite???

one // two // three // four // five // six // table

all kitchen items can be found here