2014 Summer Essentials for Mom & Bub!

Here in New York, we'd like to believe that summer is coming (tonight I have the heat on, but never mind that), so to celebrate the season here are some of my favorites for you and your little one!

Going (kind of) clockwise:

(1) Badger Sunblock--everyone needs sunblock (brown babies included! believe it or not, someone told me once that brown people didn't need sunblock--ummm ok).  We like Badger, it's pretty all-natural and does it's job.  It's a bit pasty, but worth it because it's SAFE!

(2) Boyfriend Jeans--They are all the rage now, and so so comfy!!! I love that you can pair them with flats or heels.  Perfect for a cool summer night! My boyfriend jeans are from Rag and Bone, but since they're "in" this season, they're everywhere.

(3) UppaBaby G-Luxe--I have a (not so secret) love affair with everything UppaBaby.  We have the full Vista stroller, but the G-Luxe is perfect for travel.  It has a generous sunshade which offers UV protection, and the back reclines.  The seat is padded (and removable for washing).  It is now my go-to stroller unless we are going for a long walk/shopping.

(4) JJ Cole Picnic Blanket--We love to picnic in the summer, especially at Central Park (or on any other "great lawn"), and this blanket is awesome.  It folds really neatly so it's super portable and is big enough to fit a few people.  It also wipes clean with a damp cloth in case you have a messy toddler like me. Love it.

(5) Step 2 Water & Sand Table--Toddlers love water and sand, but now you don't have to trek ALL the way to the beach.  This table keeps them occupied for a good few hours.

(6) Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheer--I don't wear much make-up, but I wanted something to make me look glowy this summer, so I decided to try this after reading one of my favorite bloggers Laura, at alittlebitoflacquer.blogspot.com recommended it.  I really like it.  It's not heavy, it offers SPF 30, and it does give me a glow.

(7) Essie Nail Polish--their 2014 neon collection is awesome.  I like bright colors (on my toes only!), and Essie has been a long time favorite.

(8) Natives--Great summer shoe option for your busy toddler/kid.  These shoes are anti-microbial, waterproof and easy to rinse and keep on wearing.  My boy plays in the dirt, grass and sand and all I do is rinse them off and air dry.

(9) L'Oreal Oleo Therapy--This is a new shampoo and conditioner and I love it so far.  My hairdresser says it "smells like a Dominican beach" (I figure that must be a good thing).  It leaves my hair nicely moisturized and soft.  The only thing I have noticed is that since it is "oil infused" my hair does tend to seem a bit oilier sooner than it normally does.  This is okay for me in the summer since I put it up mostly anyway.

So there you have it!  Some of my essentials for me and Harry this summer.  Now if only this weather would cooperate!

xo,
C

Skincare Routine

Hi Everyone! I know it's been a while, but I've been super busy teaching myself to sew, trying to organize my borderline hoarder home and of course taking care of Harry.  I figured to get back in the swing of things, I'd do a short post on my skincare routine.  I'm kind of a minimalist, I don't wear much makeup and I used to only wash my face once a day (I know, I know…)

Ok, so here goes:

To the right is my morning or daytime skin routine.  I have oily/combination skin (yes, still--I thought this was supposed to go away after age 20), so almost all of my products have a common theme--"oil free."  I usually use the Neutrogena acne wash daily.  Every other day I mix the St. Ives scrub with the Neutrogena so I get some extra exfoliation.  The Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash is great, and has a little bit of grittiness to it, but it's not as coarse as the St. Ives.  I use the Bliss on days where I don't use the Neutrogena.  I like my face (and body) to feel squeaky clean and the Bliss washes off nicely without leaving any film.  After my shower, I moisturize with Neutrogena Oil Free SPF 15 lotion.  I like this product, but I think recently they may have changed the formulation.  It smells a lot more sun-screeny than it used to and even feels a bit oilier (even though it purports to be "oil free").  It still does the trick, so I'm sticking with it for now.

The make-up that you see underneath the face products is all the makeup I use on a daily basis.  I very rarely wear more makeup than what you see there.  I use Bobbi Brown blush (in Sand Pink), Mac eyeliner (in Teddy), and for now this Maybelline Mascara.  My all-time favourite mascara is still Chanel Inimitable.

My nighttime routine is still kind of new.  As I mentioned before, I never washed my face before bed until recently when I started breaking out (my mom said it's because my face is dirty, and I think she was right because it's clear now). I'm using Cetaphil cleanser which I love (also my mom's recommendation).  It's completely fragrance free. It seems like it would leave a film on the skin but washes off cleanly.  My face feels so refreshed afterwards and I seriously wonder how I ever went to bed with a dirty face! Every other night I use my Clairsonic Mia. To moisturize, I just picked up (believe it or not), Trader Joes Nourish Oil-Free Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer.  At $5.99, the price can't be beat, but the smell (though fragrance free) is not great.  The good news is that the scent doesn't linger, it's light, and leaves my skin feeling soft.

Lastly, right before I turn out the lights, I put on my Nivea Lip Butter (in Vanilla Macadamia Kiss).  This stuff is AMAZING.  I cannot rave enough about it.  Before using this, I found myself grabbing lip balm every few hours at work, but since using it, I haven't had to moisturize during the day at all.  It leaves your lips feeling so luxe and supple. If it's one thing you try, make it this!

So that's what I use on my face everyday!  Feel free to ask any questions, and I'd love to hear what your skincare routines are!

xo,

C

The End of an Era…and a New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

I've been putting off this post for quite some time as I've been so busy with work and mommy duties, so sorry about that.  We ended 2013 with a lovely (and unexpected, but awesome) wedding between one of Rich's brothers and one of my most wonderful friends.  It was such a positive and uplifting way to end the year and begin the new one.  (I did fall asleep before the ball dropped though--first time in probably 15 years!)

Here's me and Aiden (the bride and groom's littlest man).  Isn't he a doll?

2013 was a great year for me, but also one of my most challenging as a new mother.  I learned so much and think and hope I became a better person.  One of my greatest accomplishments last year was successfully nursing my son (exclusively while on maternity leave), and then pumping at work once I returned.  There were so many days that I wanted to quit nursing (especially in the beginning).  And pumping at work brought on a whole new set of emotions and daily challenges.  I kept on going because I knew it was best, and because of the deep emotional connection I gained with him through it.  Now that Harry is one, I am no longer pumping at work, but will continue to nurse him the morning and evening so long as he wants to.  It's been such a roller coaster for me (as I'm sure all of the moms reading this can understand) and it was really bittersweet the day I hung up my pump.

Bye Bye pump! I took this picture on my last day of pumping. I know it sounds crazy, but I was kind of sad to see it go.  It really is the end of an era!

Now,  I'm not the resolution-making kinda girl, but I decided that in 2014 I would set some goals for myself and (try to) stick with them.  I'm hoping to blog a little more, but use my iPhone less.  I want to read way more than I did in 2013 (I used to be such an avid reader, and I think last year I probably only made it through 2-3 books--I know, the horror!). I would like to work on my knitting and crocheting more and finish projects that are outstanding and that I still owe people (you know who you are).  I want to carve out more time for me and Rich (baby-free) and really date him again (I'm going to be an MBA widow shortly, so setting time will be especially important). I'm hoping to become a better mom too, by being patient, showing true kindness and respect and most importantly giving lots and lots of love.  What are some of your goals or resolutions?

I hope everyone's 2014 is off to a positive and wonderful start! Happy New Year!

As an added bonus, because it's TBT, here is real throw back--Rich and I ringing in the New Year in 2004!

xo,
C