Friday Favorites
TGIF- And a long weekend ahead of us, to boot.
The next week brings us a lot of excitement: a visit from Nana, our three year anniversary, a holiday family photo shoot, and our little one turns sixteen-months old. We're looking forward to enjoying some major family time in this crisp fall weather- walks in the park during the day and maybe a glass of wine or whiskey on the front porch for us adults- cozied up under a comfy blanket.
Morgan Had a Little Lamb
People said a lot of strange things to me during that year struggling to conceive; most of which I chalked up to the the fact that most people just didn't know what to say. I've been that person, too, at times- one really wanting to comfort or encourage, but at a loss as to how to do so.
In that year most people cheered us on; many asked questions; others said nothing at all. But all of them cried happy tears when they heard our good news. So I believe all of it came from a good place.
Perfect Pumpkins
There are few things that get us excited the way holiday decorating does- the first glimpses of it conjuring up such excitement for all the last quarter of the year has to offer. For us, the holidays start with the fall; and on that first day we pull out our trusty fall wreath and start mulling those spices. And while we always have pumpkins, this year I wanted to take a more sophisticated spin on the seasonal favorite. So when we found these unique beauties during a recent trip to our local Terrain, it was love at first sight.
IAMS™ Visible Difference
It's officially October {yay} meaning the holidays are just around the corner. As Halloween candy fills the market-aisles and all things pumpkin spice come back in season, it can be hard to always make smart, healthy choices. Particularly being that I'm big on seasonal baking { see honey apple galette }.
Friday Favorites: September Roundup
So tomorrow brings us the month of October- perhaps one of my favorites of the year. It's now officially fall, all things pumpkin are back in style, and autumnal decorations are in full swing. It's also host to one of my most beloved holidays, the day I married my best friend, and the moment I found out I was pregnant with my little love. Not a bad resume for one little month. And while I'm happy you're here, October, I can't deny the beauty that was our September. We celebrated a wedding, showed our girl her first apple orchard, enjoyed a few final beach trips, took a much needed vacation out east; and in its final days decorated our home all-fall-like... And Maddie seems to approve.
Mom Hack: Blankie Insurance
For the first several months of her life, if not the first year, I was Madeline's blankie. She had plenty of real life blanket options- hand-knit ones, quilted ones, cotton ones and plush ones- but she was never really interested. Rather than warm up to one of those beauties, she preferred to cuddle her mama. And I happily obliged. But in the last few months this little lady has taken quite the liking to her blankets- one in particular, in fact.
Fur Baby
If you're new around here, let me take a moment to introduce my first born. While not my biological child, this fur baby we call Henry was perhaps my first real love. For many years I happily referred to him as my soul mate. In terms of dogs, you just can't get much better.
He's a love. He's protective- but only when he needs to be. He's easy. He naps and chills. He's active when you want him to be. He's cuddled me through Sunday Scaries. He was my baby when I struggled to be a mom.
Honey Apple Galette
When it comes to baking, I'm a "the simpler the better" kind of gal. Meaning most of the time, if not all the time, you can find me baking some kind of cookie, or a simple bar, or brownie variation. Cakes, pies, and tarts, as delicious as they may be, simply being too intimidating for this novice baker. But with a kitchen full of freshly picked apples, I wanted to venture beyond my comfort zone and try sometime new.
So when I found the rustic, freeform pastry known as the galette, I knew it was the perfect way to spread my baking wings.
Fall Fresh: Apple Cider + Mum
By now you've probably realized that I'm a fall lover, through and through.
I love the season's crisp air. The decorations- from burnt orange flowers to white pumpkins and multicolored ghords. The tasty treats- football food; all things pumpkins and apples and spice. The coziness of its sweaters and scarves; the transition from flip-flops to booties. And excited anticipation of some of my most favorite holidays.
Baby Girl Brands
Before I had MM I had a very specific vision of how I'd dress my mini. I pictured a trendy little girl clad in gender-neutral tones and cool Marc Jacobs-style prints. And no pink. None. So I guess if memory serves me, I more took a firm stance on how I was not going to dress her: No pink. No frills. No lace. No Peter Pan collars. No prep. Nothing girly. And in the end, this list of "no's" couldn't more accurately describe my daughter's entire 'drobe- the contents of which scream "Little French Girl" much more than the kidchella-vibe I had envisioned.
To Do: Stamford Museum + Nature Center
Now that my mini is essentially a toddler- one with a lot of energy and very little desire to nap- I rely on our daily acitivities big time. Maddie loves getting out of the house and exploring- exerting that energy, meeting new people, seeing new things, and learning about her ever-growing world. I sometimes forget just how amazing it is to watch her see something for the first time- like a turkey gobble as it wobbles right before her; a llama kissing its mama; or a cow licking its nose.
Oliver and Adelaide
When I was pregnant and it came time to register for my shower, I was clueless. Beyond a car seat and stroller, there were so many "must haves" that I was in the dark about. With a little research, I unveiled a whole world of newborn essentials- from Diaper Genies and Mama Roo's to Nose Freidas and Baby Bjorns. Yes mamas, we need things like this for our bundle of joy. But we also need a few of the more beautiful but oh-so-necessary trinkets for baby- burp clothes and bibs, blankies and booties, onesies and sweaters. And when celebrating a mom-to-be, who doesn't love to add a bit of luxury when showering the ones we love?
Napa Part II
A few short months ago we ventured out west to visit family in California's wine country. It was beautiful as always, and as I mentioned before, it was a pleasant surprise to find the trip to Napa just as enjoyable as ever with the addition of our Madeline. The week was spent at the beautiful Carneros Inn- lounging, eating, visiting, and of course drinking lots of wine.
Out East
If you follow along on Instagram, you may have noticed we've spent the last few days exploring East Hampton with family and friends- cozied up in the most spectacular cottage, indulging in amazing food and drink, and excitedly awaiting the nuptials of a very dear friend.
Most of our family has never ventured out this way- including our MM; so we've taken this joyous occasion as an excuse to enjoy all things Hamptons.
Friday Favorites
I think its safe to say its official: My baby girl is growing up. Sure, she'll always be my baby in the figurative sense of the word; but literally speaking, it would appear I have a full-blown toddler on my hands. One that wants to "go-go-go" from the moment she wakes up- and she tells me just that. Each and every morning. And just like any transition over the past fifteen months, this one took a growing pain or two; before I realized that her fussiness was, in fact, boredom. And seeing as we've found ourselves in those last few weeks of summer where everyone seems to be on vacation and baby classes have yet to start, we have been filling our days with as many homemade activities as we can.
