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Friday Favorites–August 4th, 2017

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Happy Friday! Doesn’t the street corn in the above picture make you ready for a delicious Mexican happy hour complete with a margarita? It’s a rainy morning here in New York City, the perfect excuse to relax at home this morning while trying to catch up on a few things during Katie’s naps. This week has been a good one, but filled with lots of activities and outings which mean that there is a giant pile of clothes waiting to be folded and thank you notes that still need to be written. I guess it can’t be all fun and games, can it? In all seriousness, this week has been terrific! Katie has slept very well each night and for the past two days she even napped well during the day. Bo and I found a groove that allowed us to divide and conquer the evening feed session which means we were able to cook dinner each night, thanks to HelloFresh (<—Click this link for $20 off your first box!).

We don’t have much planned this weekend, which makes me SO happy! Tonight we are going on a double date with another couple and their newborn then the rest of the weekend we are relaxing around the neighborhood, practicing baby wearing and maybe momma will get a massage or pedicure!

Now, let’s dive into this week’s edition of Friday Favorites, including recipes, articles, posts and other things that caught my eye this week.

  • Okay, who here likes wine? Who here likes a good sale? If you raised your hand or nodded your head to either of those questions then you’ll love the app we just discovered, Last Bottle. Similar to Gilt and RueLaLa, this is a flash sale site that posts a different wine each day that you can buy for 50% or more off the retail price. It isn’t overwhelming since there is only one wine featured each day and they show you the retail price, wine rating and helpful information about the wine. If you order 6 bottles, shipping is free! We’ve discovered a new favorite wine through the app, Cottonwood’s Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Marina Piper 2013 and stocked up on a favorite Robert Mondavi which was 70% off the retail price!
  • We ordered a number of things from our friend Marquin’s beautiful design store and are absolutely in love with this acrylic tray and these coasters which areadding a pop of color to our living room side table while serving as a great place to put bottles during feeds.
  • I loved reading Julia’s review of the last ten books she read. Like me, she read a lot while she was pregnant and now she has me wishing I had more time to read! I just added a few of these to my GoodReads Want to Read list!
  • Still one of our favorite salad dressings, I whipped up this homemade Greek Salad Dressing earlier this week!
  • This saucy tomato and artichoke chicken recipe looks delicious and simple enough for me to whip up even if I have a fussy baby in the kitchen.
  • Even before seeing the pictures the recipe title alone, Mexican Street Corn Salad, convinced me to add all the ingredients to this weekend’s shopping list. I love that it is such a simple recipe, with only 3 steps and a few ingredients, yet the photographs and flavors have me drooling!
  • After seeing recent pictures of Katie in her new swaddle, a few people have asked what brand we are using. Bo and I switched to the Halo Swaddle on Monday after Katie, our little Houdini, broke out of our swaddles two nights in a row. We are using the lightweight, muslin Halo Swaddle paired with either a kimono or onesie and she seems to love it!
  • I am so excited for my favorite shows (This Is Us, Grey’s Anatomy (yes, I have watched it EVERY season since it premiered), Law & Order, Scandal) to make a return to television next month! While I doubt I’ll be watching them live, it’s fun to know that I’ll have a few things already on Hulu to watch during my next feeding session. I don’t know much about any of the new shows premiering but, I just saw that Will & Grace is returning? Is it just me or does it seem like the cast of Will & Grace hasn’t aged a day since their show ended?

Okay, I hear a crying baby so it’s time to go enjoy some morning cuddles. I hope you guys have a great weekend and tell me – what are you loving right now? What’s your favorite book? Wine? Movie?

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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Friday Favorites–July 28th, 2017

It has been a busy week in our home as we’ve been blessed to have three visitors! My mother-in-law Mimi left Tuesday afternoon and my parents arrived yesterday morning. Having extra help and company is such a blessing while it’s also so fun to watch the grandparents evolve and fall more and more in love with their first grandchild. Overall, it has been a good as Katie continues to thrive and now weighs 9 lbs 7 oz and her personality is starting to really shine.  

Katie July 27th

Our plans this weekend are to relax and enjoy the gorgeous weather. We are thinking that a trip to Prospect Park or the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens may be a great activity while we’re also looking foreard to trying out the new electric smoker Bo received for his birthday yesterday. On Sunday my aunt and uncle are coming from New Jersey to meet Katie and enjoy a birthday lunch with us since my uncle’s 70th birthday is on Monday!  What are your weekend plans?

Now, let’s dive into this week’s edition of Friday Favorites, including recipes, articles, posts and other things that caught my eye this week.

  • While this new study may have you scared to take a spin class, at the end of the day it’s most important to ease into workouts and LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.
  • We can’t remember why these delicious toffee cookies are only made at Christmas as they are my family’s favorite and were a perfect birthday treat for Bo’s birthday. If you like toffee cookies, these are an easy-to-make bar cookie that is perfect for any occasion.
  • I’ve started having podcasts on in the background while I’m nursing and feeding Katie. This week I’ve really enjoyed listening to a few of the The Stuff You Should Know podcasts including one about Amelia Earheart and Food Fads.

  • This article discusses the effects football’s hits and tackles have on player’s brains.  The research results, which includes all levels of players including high school, is scary to say the least. After years of debate, I think the results of the NFL portion of the study, which found 110 out of 111 players had C.T.E, is enough proof to end the debate.
  • I ordered this knot-back tank top in two colors and have already worn both of them this week! It’s comfortable, flattering and available in six colors!
  • Speaking of NFL, I loved reading this article about John Urschel, a Baltimore Ravens player who has decided to pursue his PHD in Math from M.I.T versus continuing playing in the NFL.
  • In case you missed this post last year, striving for healthy left me exhausted.
  • I’ve been using ALOHA protein powder the past few weeks and have especially enjoyed their vanilla and banana flavors. Want to try it for yourself? Use the discount code HEALTHYHAPPIER20 on their website.

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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Friday Favorites–July 14th, 2017

After lots of baby posts, I wanted to use this week’s Friday Favorites post to change things up a bit, especially for those readers who have no interest in reading about newborn life. In case you’ve been hiding under a rock and haven’t heard yet, it is that time of the year when so many people spend hours perusing the racks or website of Nordstrom. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has the reputation of being one of the year’s best sales and features the next seasons picks versus the leftovers. Right now only Nordstrom credit and debit card holders can shop the early access sale but those of us who don’t have cards can put together a wish list based on the items that are shared via Nordstrom’s Sneak Peak Page.

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Below you can find the items that I either have and love or are currently lusting over and waiting to buy on July 21st when the sale opens to the public. You’ll find an assortment of items ranging from pajamas to makeup brushes. If you are looking for more detailed posts, especially featuring women’s fashion, here are my a few great posts I’ve seen thus far:

Here are my pics, without the stylised images as this nursing, pumping and baby cuddling momma doesn’t have time for that this week! Happy shopping and let me know what your top picks are, as unfortunately for my wallet, there is still time to add more to my wish list!

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Home

  • I love the Diptyque candles but due to their cost, I tend to only buy them a few times a year or add them to my birthday and Christmas wish lists. I love this miniature candle set as it includes some of their most popular scents such as Baies and the small sizes make these perfect for different spots in your home or gifting. I love to keep one in our living room and one on our bedside table for easy access when I want to relax and unwind.
  • One of my favorite candle brands, I always buy at least a few during this sale. My favorite scents include clean crisp for our bedroom and honeysuckle for the Summer months.
  • These personalized coasters and cheese boards make the perfect gift whether for a wedding, housewarming, birthday or hostess.

Beauty

  • Bo swears by Supergoop sunscreen for his fair, sensitive skin. The water-resistant, easy to apply sunscreen features Vitamin C, wet and dry formulation as well as a better-for-you ingredient list versus many of the sunscreens on the market today. At 30% off this set of 3 is a great way to stock up for the Summer months.
  • I’ve been focused on better a better skincare routine for my skin especially as I dealt with pigment and texture changes during pregnancy. One of the most frequently recommended skin care items is this Clarisonic Mia. I used to have one that I loved and used daily, but lost it during our move back from Geneva. As soon as I saw it on the Anniverary Sale I added it to my wish list!
  • Don’t remember the last time you cleaned or replaced your makeup brushes? This MAC makeup brush set is less than $50 and valued at over $150 so this is a great time to replace your makeup brushes!

Women

  • Perfect for Fall and Winter this cashmere and wool drape front sweater vest will pair perfectly with jeans and tall boots for weekends or black pants and heels for work.
  • These faux leather leggings have over 150 5-star reviews which is proof that everyone, regardless shape or size, seems to love them. Their forgiving nature will be appreciated by this new mom while the faux leather will allow me to feel just a little bit cool and edgy. I could pair them with the above drape sweater or a silk blouse, making them perfect for any occasion.
  • I’ve owned this North Face trench-style rain coat for three years and love the chic design while the performance fabric keeps me dry and cool. Unlike most rain coats, it is fitted so make sure to review the sizing before you order!
  • I’ve heard so much about the Zella Live In Leggings that I finally decided to buy two pairs – one pair of full length live in leggings and one pair of colorful, keep it cool cropped legging!
  • I have these Stuart Weitzman Over-the-Knee boots in leather but love the look of the suede boots, especially the black. If you’re in the market for an investment boot, at 35% off,  this is one of the best deals I’ve seen on this Stuart Wetizman classic.
  • I had to retire my favorite JCrew booties this year after four years and therefore decided that this sale is the perfect time to buy a new pair of booties for Fall. Historically I’ve owned black booties but after seeing so many friends wear and love these Rag & Bone booties and reading the reviews, I decided to add the lighter color to my wishlist.
  • I have used this Longchamp convertible tote for everything from weekend trips to errands during the past three years that I’ve owned it. The water-resistant tote easily doubles in size with a simple zip and is chic enough to go from airport to happy hour.
  • After seeing five different Nordstom Anniversary Sale posts include these Moonlight pajamas, I knew I had to add them to my wish list. Their soft, lightweight material makes them perfect for all seasons and the button down top allows me to wear them during my nightly nursing sessions.

Baby

  • We use these Aden+Anais Muslin Cloths for everything and anything including swaddling and burping. Even though we have six of them, I already feel like this is something we could use more of to keep at our grandparent’s house as well as in our diaper bags and the stroller! While you can find this brand at multiple retailers, including Walmart and Target, it seems that they each have a different quality. My friend swears that the Nordstrom-exclusive version is larger and softer than any others!
  • You’ve seen this diaper bag in multiple pictures already as Bo is obsessed with it and carries it everywhere! The perfect diaper bag for dad or for someone looking for a messenger style, it is equipped with everything from a changing pad to insulated area for botttles!

Your turn – What other items should I add to my list?

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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