Designer I love: Boy by Band of Outsiders

In an effort to bring more structure in to my wardrobe (goodbye flowy tops that draw unwelcomed pregnancy speculation) I am gravitating towards more edgy, but timeless pieces. Enter Boy by Band of Outsiders. J'adore. Indulge your eyes:

















Love the models...just a few of my besties: Kirsten, Michelle, and Zooey.

source: boy by band of outsiders blog



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Cloth Diapering (What works for us)

So, due to the large number of requests for cloth diapering info, I decided to construct a go-to guide for all things cloth+diapers. Matilda is now 100% cloth diapered. I am happy to say that she is a trendsetter and that many of her fellow peers are getting cloth diapered as well!





Here's the scoop poop. Poop is such a huge part of my life.

Ok, so in those first few precious weeks we went the easy route and used disposable. Those little heinies are swallowed up by ye old cloth and they use the bathroom like constantly, so in order to avoid constant laundry we used Swaddlers diapers by Pampers. They were the ones we used in the hospital and by far my fave.



We were also using Thirsty diaper covers in XS with Cotton Babies inserts. They fit snuggly and were a nice addition to the disposable.



Thirsty Diaper Covers $11.25

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Pocket Diaper Insert $3.95

At about the two month mark we began using the Bum Genius One Size diapers and absolutely fell in love with them. Now we exclusively use BumGenius. Knowing that Matilda can grow in to them made them much more economical and I love how absorbent they are. We rarely have leaks. They are a bit bulky, especially on newborns, but I find them to be the most convenient and practical cloth diapers we've tried.



BumGenius One Size $17.95

A lot of retailers will offer bulk discount so make sure you ask! We have about 16 and I find that to be a great number. It's enough to get us through a few days, but not too much so that the diapers just pile up.

I use a basic trash can as my diaper pail.



Touchless Stainless Steel

Plastic will work just fine. The main thing is that the trash can has a lid. I prefer one with a touch lid to just dump the diaper in. With the pocket diapers you want to dump the insert in the trash, attach the velcro to the inner laundry tabs, and then the diaper itself.

You will also need a pail liner. I use these and I bought 2, one for the laundry and one for the pail. You will dump the entire contents of the liner in the laundry and then the liner itself:



Pail Liner $16.50

Next you will need to order a gentle, perfume free laundry detergent. The most recommended is Allens, but I've yet to find it in the stores so I use Seventh Generation Baby laundry detergent.



You will want to first rinse the diapers, then wash with detergent, then rinse again and determine rather or not to wash a second time. The liners and cloth wipes can go in the dryer and I air dry the covers.



I like to air dry the covers and inserts in the sun because the sun acts as a natural bleach. I need to get a drying line up...

You can also use a 1/4 cup of bleach once a month for cleaning and deodorizing!

For more answers to more questions go here.

You will also want to invest in wet bags for travel and cloth wipes which are amazing! Happy diapering!!

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Inspiration: Patrick Blanc Vertical Gardener

With spring just around the corner my unpainted toes and pale winter skin are aching to be painted and awakened with some color (not much mind you). My inner gardener is crying out for some time spent amongst the holly hocks, daisies, echinacea, climbing vines, hydrangeas, and many other beauties that adorn my home. My recent discovery and interest is vertical gardening. Mostly seen in urban environments where gardeners have to go up rather that out, succulents, ferns, and more make their homes on walls, mounted fixtures, and other creative options. One fellow that has caught my attention is french botanist and vertical garden pioneer Patrick Blanc. Here are some of his intriguing collections. How lovely to stumble on to one of these magical creations:



source: localoaf



source:carmeloruiz



source:urbancartography



source:greayer

Oh yeah, and he's a crazy looking dude with some reallllly long fingernails. Eeeek!



Maybe he uses those suckers as little shovels?


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Restaurant Review: Flip Burger Boutique

My beautiful sister, Rachel, first told me about Flip. This modern burger boutique is home of the Krispy Kreme milkshake and ever since Sam and I heard of such dreamy goodness we've been dying to go. With both of us on a pretty strict eating regime, what better excuse than my birthday? Sam surprised me with a monday night date night and lined up a babysitter (thanks Mom and Dad) and everything! Let me start by saying that I love burgers...all kinds, beef, turkey, veggie, you name it! So, this little slice of burger heaven was just that! I started off with a "vintage" Orange Sunkist made of pure sugar cane:



Then Sam and I both ordered our burgers. My choice: The Butchers Cut. Blue cheese, caramalized onion, red wine jelly:



We split the fries which were very tasty and then Sam ordered the Bacon and Cheese:



The buttery bun is delightful. The flavors are intense with plenty of delicious condiments to pile on top of the perfectly cooked burgers and fresh toppings. The portion size is also perfect, leaving room for the must-have milkshakes:



Nutella with roasted marshmallow on the left and Krispy Kreme on the right. As excited as we were to try the Krispy Kreme shake, it was the Nutella that had our tongues wagging.



Sam was so good to me as always. He surprised me with a Dyson and made me this beautiful belt:



The belt is now for sale at Magnolia Leather Works!


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She's done it again!

My treasure of a friend Jessica took these. How gorgeous are they? I mean really!







See them all here.



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Happy 5 Months my girl!

Dear Matilda,

Your five month birthday has come and gone. Let's just say it gets a little tricky to keep up with cataloguing every moment when your spending all your time enjoying the present one. With you every day is special. I love kissing you and playing horsey and laughing and watching your new little things you're learning. You smile more and more everyday. You brow is getting less and less furrowed;). You love playing with your car seat toys. I listen to you tugging on your chiming snail toy from Keely and the crunching of your elephant toy from Maria. You light up our lives Matilda Louise. I worry every day that you don't know just how much I love you, but I look forward to telling you over and over again. Thank you for being the best gift I've ever received.



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And the winner is...

I was so excited the Oscars were on my birthday this year. The Oscars are one of the events I look most forward to every year. My family gathered at my parents house and we had a fabulous dinner and my favorite cake: Lemon-cheese cake. We gathered around to watch the show and I had a ball. All of this following a wonderful photoshoot with Jessica and Matilda!







Thank you for all of your birthday wishes!

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Showers, birthdays, and blunders

Ah, another birthday here you come, roarin' your ugly little head. Actually, this year I've decided to embrace my birthday. Today Matilda and I made a very late appearance to my dear friend Katie's baby shower. When I say very late, I mean we got there when the party was supposed to end. I thought the shower started at 3 and lo and behold it ended at 3. The girls were kind enough to let us in...

My friend Kathleen at work helped me pick out a lovely outfit for the event:


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Really beautiful striped skirt that is not available online
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Yellow tights
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Silver t-straps with matching silver skinny belt

I felt like a woman that does tea time and it made me happy!

The evening included festivities for my 28th birthday. Dinner was at Carroll Street Cafe and then it was dancing at the Highland Inn. I had a delightful time and was so honored to have the company of some of my favorite besties (haha). Thank you to everyone who made the night so special for a mom who doesn't get out on the town much!



More pictures to come...

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Baby's got a brand new dance

This started when Uncle Alan was wiggling her legs and kept going past her bed time. My face hurt from laughing!



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Rainy days are my favorite.

Today I will relish in the fact that it is raining (not safe to go out, must stay in and be lazy with Matilda), that I have the day off, that I am so blessed by the people in my life.

Yesterday Sam and I were recovering from a sleepless night with Til. Poor booboo had a tummy ache and cried all night. I hate feeling helpless when she's upset. After work I called Mom to see what her and Dad's dinner plans were and she had made a full delicious dinner for Sam and I to take home. Spaghetti (to die for), bread sticks (yum!), and salad (tasty!). I also got to see Grammy and Lynndaddy who brought us a framed painting that Lynndaddy had done of me and Matilda. I would have burst in to tears if our friendly contractor Ted had not been in the room (that would have been awkward). It is the sweetest painting. Will post pictures later.

After we got home we stuffed our faces, watched LOST, and crashed (luckily not on a crazy island, in our heavenly bed).

Sam and I need advice on where to go on vacation...we're saving up for a trip and would love suggestions.


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Linkity Love

My new favorite style blog.



Congratulations Dana!



My favorite nursing tops.



One of my favorite bloggers featured on Ohdeedoh. Congrats Leslie!


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Happy St. Valentine's Day

Since Sam and I will not be spending a romantic evening together tonight we decided to throw a Valentine's themed dinner party for our wonderful friends, the Krezels. Jennifer is a hostess with the mostess so I wanted to show them both a wonderful time. Jennifer and Eric are so much fun. Happy Anniversary you two!













{Valentine's Day Menu}

{The Barefoot Contessa's Parmesan Chicken Sticks}

{Yellow rice with sauteed onions}

{Asparagus}

{Mixed greens with dried cranberries and walnuts}

{Chocolate and rasberry parfait}

I hope that you all have a lovely day. Sleep in and enjoy yourselves and whether you spend your day with your significant other or have a girls night out watching "Confessions of a Shopaholic," have a wonderful time.

My sweet valentine surprised me with heart shaped belgian waffles, bacon, and eggs. Mmmmmmm.♥

My tiny valentine is still fast asleep...



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