Intention

A VERY belated Happy New Year, friends! Time is just flying by-- I can hardly believe it's been two (nearly three) months since my last post. Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone, and we're well into 2018 now!

Quick holiday recap- December was a month to remember. I read this post No Moving Target December before the holiday season and revisited it many times throughout the month. If you don't read the entire post, here's the takeaway:


"I don’t want to miss what really matters in the name of productivity, perfection, and busyness."

I made it intention to slow down and treasure the magical time of the holiday season. I took a huge step back from any and all media (highly recommend it!) and was very intentional about how I used my time and the people I spent my time with. Don't get me wrong, we did our share of entertaining during the holidays. Like a LOT of it. But I knew that the house didn't have to be perfect and the "to do" list didn't have to be complete.

Say Cheese: Five Tips for Family Photos

'Tis the season when lots of mamas are starting to think about the holidays. I mean, once Halloween is over, you might as well embrace it! You can't miss all things Christmas in the stores; your inbox is full of sale emails, and every other blog post is a gift guide.

Take away the commercial chaos, and the holidays for me are about connection. One of the things I most look forward to about the season is holiday cards. Some might consider it an outdated tradition (or hassle!), but when so much interaction is online these days, I get all giddy when I open the mailbox and have personal notes or cards. Social media may make us feel connected in the moment, but there's something special about a delivery from the postman.

The photos of friends and loved ones is by far the best part of the whole Christmas card experience. Yup, I have friends who post snaps of their kids nearly every day. We all do. But there is magic that goes into the making of the holiday card photos!

My first family holiday card experience was a total parent fail! But we've come a long way since that first photo shoot with Sweet P.  When she was about three months old, Grammie and I took the sweet doll baby to a photo studio for her picture. Little did I know, her very fancy red and green plaid dress had a very scratchy crinoline petticoat underneath. She cried the whole time, and the photographer couldn't get a single picture. What a miserable experience for everyone-- and the guilt I felt for dressing her up in that silly dress was awful!

After the failed attempt at getting pictures taken in the studio, we ended up getting a few okay snaps from a staged at home shoot. But by the time we finally had our pictures, it was too late to order any cards printed and send them in time for Christmas.

Fortunately, I learned from the first year, and last year was a lot easier! We planned in advance and set up time with our uber talented team of photographers that we worked with for Sweet P's newborn photos and several other sessions. Capital Region friends-- Ashley Brown and her assistant, Kristen, specialize in photographing children and their families. These ladies are true pros, and you will TREASURE your photos.

Working with Ashley and Kristen, I've learned a few tips to help make your Christmas photo session easier...

Start with neutrals - As someone that loves color and pattern, I'm conscious of choosing clothing that's  too bold or bright. Select grays, beige, white, black and save the pops of color for accessories. Also consider choosing clothing in the same tones so outfits compliment one another.

    

Kids are the stars of the show, so give them all of the attention by concentrating color and patterns in their outfits. But be careful of crazy patterns, mixing patterns or horizontal stripes or textures to avoid the photo looking busy or distracting.

   

                                                                    Leopard print is a neutral!

And if you want to go for seasonal colors, you can find inspiration for subtle complimentary colors on Pinterest.

Prepare, prepare, prepare-  Try outfits on ahead of time (learn from my mistake!) and bring a backup outfits especially if you're going off site or to the studio for photos with a little. Spit up and blow outs happen. 

Bring accessories and props- In addition to the required toddler snacks (we're not above bribing Sweet P with M & Ms), take along favorite blankets, loveys, hats and mittens, or a special toy for the photographer to incorporate into the pics. 

 Timing is everything. Time the shoot around naps and meals when kids are rested, content and cooperative. If you're taking photos outside, the photographer can advise you about the best time of day for maximizing natural light. 

Have fun! Remember life happens, but it doesn't have to be stressful and overwhelming. The day that we had our most recent family photo shoot, we woke up to a plumbing emergency (i.e. no water...) After the Sailor fortunately "fixed" the problem, we were running very late. Pip wouldn't nap beforehand, and she was going through a Dada-only phase (Heartbreaking... Thank goodness it only lasted for a short time!)

Despite feeling defeated and blinking back tears that day, I did my best to make P laugh and relax into her normal behavior- acting happy and being silly! I bounced her in the air, played peek-a-boo behind a tree, and chased after a butterfly with P all while forgetting that there was someone watching and snapping away. Trust that your photographer will freeze those moments of contentment and joy for you to remember.

  

Our Easter

Just popping in to share a few snaps from our Easter weekend. Pippa had a blast and was much more "into" the bunny and hunting for eggs than I ever imagined that she would be at this age.

If anyone saw my late night Instagram post from last week, it's a miracle that I was able to put together little teacher gifts in time for P to deliver them Friday morning. I waited until the last minute to do my crafts, and it was a comedy of errors-- right down to the flower vases leaking everywhere!

We spent Saturday at a neighborhood egg hunt, coloring eggs, and running errands. And Easter Sunday was a perfect family day! Pip loved finding her eggs filled with stickers, M & Ms, goldfish and more! The bunny only hid a few since we didn't realize how excited she would be by searching for them-- If only I had known! Each time P found one, it truly was like finding a treasure for her! 

The basket from the bunny had very little candy but lots of other good stuff-- unicorn bandaids ("stickers"- the kid is obsessed!), nesting animals, tot cups, books, pretty pastel outfits and a beach towel and sunglasses and finger puppets. The real hits were an Elmo snack set and Mega Blocks. Score one for the Easter bunny!  

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and is enjoying the week! 

THINKING ABOUT... Healthy body, mind and soul

I've been battling a cold and generally have been feeling fatigued for a week yet I've still tried to keep up with my "routine." But this weekend, I threw up the white flag, listened to my body and surrendered. After enjoying three long days of deep rest, reading, eating nourishing and delish food (broke the 80-20 rule!), snuggling with Sweet P and the Sailor, taking a restorative yoga class and fitting in a couple of other invigorating outdoor sweat sessions, I'm feeling refreshed.

As moms, wives, daughter, sisters, we as women in general are concerned with taking care of others and other things. Whether it's rushing kids off to activities, prepping food for the family's meals, keeping the house tidy (forget about CLEAN!), fulfilling community obligations, so much of what we do is selfless.

But what do we do to care for ourselves? How do we show up for others when we aren't taking care of ourselves? Frazzled, worn out, distracted-- certainly not present and capable of listening to their real needs. We do what we're expected to do, usually on autopilot or out of habit. There's nothing mindful or intentional about our behavior.

What do you do to hit your 'reset' button so you can be your best self? Many things just take a moment to bring awareness, adjust your perspective and remind you to live with intention.

Here's a list of things that I've found work for me...
Please add your suggestions in the comments.  

Valentine's & Galentine's Day Celebrations

I was a little behind this year on Valentine's Day since we were out of town last week. The important part is that I (sort of) pulled it together enough to help Sweet P make a homemade Valentine for her daddy, and I cooked her heart shaped pancakes with blueberries and pink M&Ms for breakfast. Not the prettiest picture but she's easy to please-- as long as she has chocolate!

The Sailor and I enjoyed special dinner of sushi for two and champagne (on a Tuesday!), which was just perfect. Then we spent the rest of the evening going through the photo books that he's made of us each year that we've been together. Pretty special day indeed!

After the fact, of course, I saw photos of some pretty awesome Galentine's Day celebrations on instagram too. Wonder where the new-ish holiday originated? Here's the story. I love the idea of entertaining gal pals with champagne, waffles, crafts and cute decorations! It probably goes without saying but connecting with friends is such an essential part of well-being. We all need a tribe, and in a perfect world, I'd be able to get together with more of my besties SO much more often! Scroll for some pretty stuff...

Check out these links for more pretty tips on planning a celebration for friends!

HGTV How to Throw a Galentine's Day Party
Domestikated Galentine's Day Decoration Round Up

Seriously Special Eats

For ages, my mom hosted both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day at my parents house-- and served exactly the same meal, right down to the appetizers and sides, for both. While other people were having ham or roast beef or even lasagna on Christmas Day, our family has TURKEY.

One year, I saw a Christmas Carol and the scene where Bob Crachit receives a turkey (which I mistakenly thought was a goose!) from the newly magnanimous Scrooge really stuck with me. So for Christmas Eve this year, the Sailor prepared a Christmas goose with all the trimmings and some!

He always puts his heart and soul into cooking a special Christmas Eve dinner, and it was even more of an effort for him this year since he was sick with a terrible cold the weeks leading up to the day.

Note that he actually used the ugly sweater coozie that I put in the Advent calendar! 

He didn't deviate from his normal planning routine and pored over cookbooks for hours, visited all of the local grocers for the best ingredients, and spent ALL of Christmas Eve Day scurrying around the kitchen like an elf in Santa's workshop.

Many cultures recognize preparing and sharing food as an act of love, and cooking for others is the Sailor's way of showing love. I so admire his patience, dedication and skill. It's especially inspiring since, although I am a better cook than I used to be, I'm still a total disaster in the kitchen! I have a few simple recipes for dinners and a bunch of baking recipes that I make regularly, but I really have no talent for it!

Here's what was on the menu Christmas Eve:

Apps: 
Oysters with Mignonette Sauce
Warm Blue Cheese and Bacon Dip
Cheese and Charcuterie Tray

Salad:
Clementine, Burrata & Prosciutto Winter Salad

Entree:
Christmas Goose and Gravy
Prune and Apple Stuffing with Sausage and Chestnuts
Cranberry clementine sauce
Kale Gratin
Rosemary Popovers

Dessert:
Bread Pudding with Amaretto Butter Cream Sauce
Gingerbread Ice Cream

Holiday Highlights and Sweet P at 15 Months

Hi friends! We have some catching up to do--First some holiday highlights and then P's 15 month update which is really more like 15 1/2 months!

Forecasts predict that we're going to get 3-6 inches of snow today, so it will provide the perfect backdrop to decorate our tree. We picked it out at the local nursery last weekend but didn't get the chance to put on the ornaments yet. While theme trees are all the rage, we go for a more traditional tree- colored lights and sentimental ornaments collected throughout the years.

Next year, we'll probably go cut one down, but I'll miss the tradition of visiting the local nursery where we see the family that does our landscaping. After picking out the tree, it's always a treat to go inside the store, have cider and Christmas cookies and see the owner's cats sleeping near the potbelly stove. It's a classic cozy Christmas scene!

Terrain Woven Basket- I opted to switch out the tree skirt for a woven basket from one of my favorite home stores this year. No more straightening it constantly only so that Lola can run underneath and knock it askew. No more vacuuming up needles daily. No more adjusting it to water the tree. It's such a simple change and so much more convenient!

Real Life RD- has some great advice for kicking dieting to the curb during the holidays. Eat with intention and enjoy it because it satisfies! And remember just because it is on the table doesn't mean that you have to eat it.

"...if we begin to just focus on taking care of ourselves, resting, loving on our friends and family, and serving others, then we obsess less, or better yet stop obsessing — and the food becomes a way we celebrate and share this season with others instead of something we exhaust ourselves over." 

Gingerbread Larabars- YUM! These are such a delicious treat that you wouldn't even know that they're healthy! Little did I know that this flavor has been around for a few years- Boy, have I been missing out!

I've always been curious about making my own Larabars, and there are plenty of recipes to try. Anyone ever make them? I've found a few different copycat recipes but can't decide which one to use.

So I Married A Chef
Nutritious Eats
Chocolate Covered Katie

Jeanne Oliver Designs Holiday Home Tour- Even though I say that I'm not a huge fan of contemporary style homes, Jeanne Oliver's house makes me think twice about it. With layered textiles, rustic touches and greenery, her "modern" farmhouse is so inviting and cozy. And look at that light!!!

        

Making Memories: Here's a fun tradition to look forward to each year! 

Sweet P

Pippa had her 15 month check up at the end of last month. She weighed in at 21.2 lbs. and is in the 75th percentile for height-- hard to believe that the little one was only in the fifth percentile for height and weight when she was born!

She is quite the snuggler and loves giving hugs and kisses, and we LOVE getting them! She still has only a handful of words (Mommom, Dada, cat, car, cookie, socks, up, down, uh-oh) but understands so much more than she can communicate. And it seems that every day she is trying out new sounds and words.

Pip is a ball of energy, running around, pulling everything out of its proper place and leaving a trail of toys, clothes, magazines, you-name-it behind her. She still loves peek-a-boo and never tires of being chased-- and Pip has proven her stability and speed when chasing Lola.

Pip still loves KidzLodge and is thriving there! We're so thankful to have found a place where she is so well cared for and loves going every day. At eighteen months, she will move from the infant classroom where she is now to the toddler classroom, and Mom is already dreading it! P's positive experience is all due to her amazing teachers in the "Bunny Classroom," and we credit them with her joyful nature. They report that she's the class clown, which is easy to believe. Whether wearing silly hats, making faces, dancing or jumping/somersaulting on the couch, she's constantly giggling and trying to make others laugh too.

As active as she is, Sweet P's favorite activity is probably sitting quietly and flipping through her books. It depends on the day, but some times she will even sit still for us and let us read to her, especially if it's Pout-Pout Fish-- her favorite book.

Thanks for sticking around to read this very long post! I'm off to work on Christmas cards and decorating! 

Tiny Twinkle Toes

I am waaaay behind on my Christmas shopping this year. By this time in years past, I would have been about 50% done. I love to have most of my shopping done ahead of time so that I can enjoy the holiday season doing Christmas-y stuff-- baking cookies (eating cookies), listening to Christmas music, drinking cocoa or my favorite Hot Cinnamon Spice tea, staring at the twinkling lights on the tree, and catching up with friends. It really is a magical time of year if you can slow down and be in the moment rather than trying to cross things off of your to-do list frantically.

Christmas 2015

SWEET P turns ONE!

Signs of fall are everywhere. The air is crisp. The leaves are changing, and darkness sets in earlier in the evening. And all of the bloggers have done posts on fall fashion and autumn decorations and of course pumpkin spice everything. That means I am waaaay behind on posting about a "summer" themed first birthday party and Sweet P's 12 month update!

Retreat

The Sailor and I are heading to the Mohonk Mountain House today to celebrate our five year anniversary.

Celebrating Four Years

Introducing...

...Lola! With heavy heart, I have accepted that my furry companion of thirteen years is most likely not going to return home. Both the Sailor and I had been struggling with the empty feeling in our house without Murph for the past month, and although he will never be replaced, we've opened our home and hearts to this sweet little girl...

 

Lola gets her name from our sushi restaurant, which happens to be in Nantucket. We've already made dinner reservations for Christmas Stroll weekend, and I'm counting down the days!

XOXO

Happy Valentine's Day! Here are a few things that are making me smile today...

Beautiful flowers from the Sailor arrived well in advance of Valentine's Day so that I could enjoy them before we go on vacation (Planning ahead-- the man is gooo-ood!)

"More than a dozen Angelenos navigate Valentine's Day from early morning until midnight. Three couples awake together, but each relationship will sputter; are any worth saving? A grade-school boy wants flowers for his first true love; two high school seniors plan first-time sex at noon; a TV sports reporter gets the assignment to find romance in LA; a star quarterback contemplates his future; two strangers meet on a plane; grandparents, together for years, face a crisis; and, an "I Hate Valentine's Day" dinner beckons the lonely and the lied to. Can Cupid finish his work by midnight?"

We watched Valentine's Day the movie this weekend. Star-studded cast- Shirley MacClaine, Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Emma Roberts, Taylor Swift.It was a cute movie- a little long, but the ending was worth it. And for those of you who have seen it and are wondering, yes, I cried at the end.

"Pink Swap" present for the Annual Monograms & Manicures gift exchange is en route to Oregon (hopefully arrived by now)! Hope my swap partner enjoys her goodies. It's always fun to get surprises in the mail. 

I adore this sweet baby! So excited to be part of Charlotte's life. I couldn't have dressed her better if she was my own little one-- She's a mini fashionista already with her leopard onesie and pink and green accessories! 

Love this man more than anything! I'm so lucky that he's my valentine.