Statement Sweater

Is there such thing as a statement sweater?  If so, I think I now own one.  With the different patterns and colors going on in this sweater that I snagged on super sale from J.Crew, it's busy in a good way, I feel.  I love sweater season.  We, Floridians, don't have many days that we can wear jackets and coats but sweaters are the perfect in between.  In fact, it's very common for me to wear and see others wear sweaters and shorts together around here.  It's like we are fighting the warmth because we refuse to accept that we don't have normal seasons here... :-)

Sweater: J. Crew  /  Skirt: GAP  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Handbag: Target  /  Jewelry: VeryJane.com, David Yurman

Spotty Situation

My shirt, sweater, and skirt are making all sorts of weird in these photos so my apologies.  These were taken after a long day at the office since I haven't mastered the art of having a newborn and getting ready in the morning yet.  So, I'm finally getting into a routine and it feels good.  The weather is cooling down...well, that's a lie but fall in definitely in the air...okay, probably only in Starbucks but I'm jealous of reading posts about how awesome fall is.  I'm living vicariously through you all while sweating profusely here in Florida.  Ugh.

Shirt: Loft {similar}  /  Sweater: J. Crew Factory  /  Skirt: GAP  /  Shoes: Nine West  /  Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target  /  Necklace: Banana Republic {similar}

A Blessed Day

Lucas was baptized on Sunday in the same church my husband and I were married in and by the same priest that married us!  He was so well behaved but I doubted my little man would do so well.  I think I brought along three bottles, every blankie and pacifier I could find, and musical toys even though the mass was only an hour long.  I'm still nervous about being that mom with crying child.  He proved me way wrong though and mostly slept through the entire mass.

Lucas was also dressed in style!  When we got to my mom's house for lunch, we changed Lucas into a romper that my aunt/godmother had made for him and it was adorable!  For the actual baptism, he wore a christening gown that is about 60 years old.  My grandmother had it handmade in Spain for my uncles and my dad to wear for their baptisms.  After they wore the gown, I was the first of the grandkids to wear it.  I wore the gown as did my sisters and cousins.  Now, Lucas is the first of the great-grandkids to wear the gown. For being 60 years old and worn by so many babies, the gown was in excellent condition.  It was amazing to see my son wearing a gown that has so much history.  Thankfully, there were no accidents from Lucas.  I didn't want to be the first to literally christen the gown.

It was truly a special and blessed day.

My dress: Target  /  Shoes: Sole Society via Nordstrom  /  Jewelry: J.Crew {similar} {similar}, Stella and Dot, Jane.com, David Yurman, Alex and Ani

Put Me In, Coach!

Another Saturday in the South means one thing, football!  Lucas is obviously way too young to understand football so naturally, my husband went to the game and I took Lucas to the mall.  Naturally, duh ;-)  The mall was empty so it was a good way for me to ease into starting to take him out in public.  I have kept him cooped up indoors waiting for his vaccinations so now that he's in the clear, it's good to know that I can take him places with me.  Although, I had a stack of clothes on my arm to try on at GAP and this lil fool decided to act up so back to the racks they went and we left.  There are so many cute fall clothes out.  I feel like summer came and went for me because I was indoors the whole time.  I prefer fall clothing so it definitely helps that J. Crew, J. Crew Factory, Gap, and Loft are all running promos right now.  Dangerous...

Sunday was Lucas' baptism so we have had a busy weekend.  Pictures from Sunday coming up soon!

Neutral Tones

This week has flown by and I'm so excited for the weekend!  Some of our family is in town for Lucas' baptism and it has been nice spending time with my aunt this week.  Because I can't help it, below are some pictures of Lucas we took yesterday.  Since there isn't much you can do to accessorize baby boys, socks have became our thang.  I absolutely adore putting funny and cute socks on Lucas so I've been scouring the internet for socks that look like shoes.  Thrilling, I know.  However, I think they look adorable on him - my little old preppy baby boy!  I adore these Trumpette socks and I ordered these as well.  My cousin also gifted Lucas a Tous pacifier clip and oh my goodness is it beautiful!  Lucas is definitely a spoiled little boy and very much loved by many.

Sweater: Banana Republic  /  Shirt: Old Navy  /  Pants: Gap  /    Bag: Louis Vuitton  /  Jewelry: Gemmy Junky, Mynamenecklace.com, David Yurman

Two Months Old

My baby is two months old!  Where does time go?!  Lucas received his vaccinations yesterday and although he cried a little when the shots were administered, he soon dried up his tears while my heart broke the whole day.  I had to go back to the office when I really wanted to be home and cuddling with him.  If these pictures are any indication, I smothered him in kisses all afternoon.  We were told at his appointment that he weighs 12 pounds 7 ounces and is 24.5 long...big boy!  I tried to put him in one of my favorite outfits of his but realized that he grew out of it.  Seriously, time needs to freeze immediately.

Lucas is loving music, kicking, and most of all...the ceiling fan.  Yep, the ceiling fan.  The other day, I went on a toy buying binge.  I was so excited to come home and see his reaction.  As I'm putting together his play set, I hear him laughing up a storm.  When I look over, he was cracking up looking at the ceiling fan.  Maybe I should have just hung string from the fan instead of buying toys so early.  I do like that the Baby Einsten toys I bought can switch to Spanish mode.  My little bilingual baby will be so smart!

Now that he's vaccinated, I'm excited to start taking him places.  In fact, he's getting baptized on Sunday!  I'll be able to leave the house with him and run errands.  One of my errands on Sunday was to head over to Target and check out the Phillip Lim collection.  I purchased the mini satchel I'm wearing in these photos and the large black tote.  It was madness that day!  

Working Mom

Today, I am suppose to work from home but unfortunately an emergency hearing came up so I'm up early to prep and drive to the courthouse.  This is a new me that prefers to be at home.  Of course, being home means being with my baby but before Lucas, I did not like staying home during the day.  My husband used to ask me if I won the lottery would I quit my job and stay at home.  I staunchly would reply that I would never quit my job and that I had worked too hard to fulfill my lifelong dream of being an attorney.  Well, fast forward to the absolute happiness of taking care of my baby and now, I can honestly say that if I won the lottery, I would choose to only work two days.  I really do love my job so I don't think I could ever say that I would completely quit.  Plus, I don't play the lottery.  I think working and being a mom are going to take some time to get used to but, right now, life is good.  Going to the gym will have to wait ;-)

Sweater: J Crew  /  Shirt: Banana Republic  /  Skirt: Loft  /  Shoes: DSW  

 'L' Necklace: Very Jane (similar)

Double Trouble Stripes

It's now been a week since I've been back at work and I'm still heartbroken.  I work from home on Mondays which makes things a little easier but I definitely had a loooong ugly cry Monday evening as I started preparing things for the morning.  Once I am at the office, it is not so bad.  Luckily, I've literally been in court every day this week which makes the day go by quicker.  My mom sends my lots of pictures and videos throughout the day and that helps as well.  Hopefully, once we get into more of a routine, I won't feel like such a monster when I drop him off at my parent's house in the morning.  Once thing is for sure, this weekend will be spent snuggling lots and lots with my little guy...and maybe checking out the Phillip Lim collection at Target ;-)

Shirt: Old Navy  /  Pants: Loft  /  Shoes: Nine West  /  Jewelry: David Yurman, Pandora, Groopdealz necklace, Tiffanys, Lorenzo

Quick Update

Just a quick blog update today to say that I am alive and made it through my first day back at the office (not without lots of tears of course!)  Time-wise, it's been nuts so I haven't had the time to prepare proper posts but outfit posts will finally be back!  I'm wearing real clothes now and not pajamas.  In the meantime, a gratuitous picture of Lucas called for the occasion :-)

Maternity Clothes Must Haves

I work an 8-5 (or longer) Monday through Friday job so wearing yoga pants my entire pregnancy was out of the question so maternity clothes were a must.  Most days, I still had to wear a suit or something resembling suit separates.  However, I told myself that I wouldn't buy too many maternity clothes and I stuck to this promise.  My belly popped out very early so I learned that with a few key pieces and using some pre-pregnancy clothes, I was able to dress myself professionally every day and get through my pregnancy with some style.  Below are just some pieces that were able to get me through the week and weekend while pregnant.  You do not have to spend a lot of money to get through pregnancy in style!  Some of my favorite places to shop for bargain pregnancy clothes were Target, Old Navy, and the sale sections of Gap and Loft.  Motherhood Maternity also has great pencil skirts.  Below is what worked for me but I'd love to know and read any of your suggestions on your preggo style :-)

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I kept it simple by only purchasing basic pieces and accessorizing with what I already owned.  Most of the time, I wore dresses with a cardigan then belting the dress to emphasize the bump.  You know, reminding people that there was a baby in there and not 10 burritos.  Statement necklaces are also great to break up an otherwise simple outfit.  Heels were a no go for me so I wore the heck out of my black ballerina flats.  If you only buy a few maternity work items, I definitely recommend the above picks as those are what got me by and I literally worked right up to the day I was induced for labor.  I've updated my Outfits page for more maternity work clothes ideas using pieces similar to those above.

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Now, most of the time I spent in lounge clothes but if I had to leave the house, my uniform was either a simple dress or shorts and a tee.  My shoes of the summer were definitely the Target Lavada sandals.  Comfort was key for me and especially in my third trimester, the less fuss the better.  I've updated my Outfits page for more ideas on weekend wear.

I hope these suggestions help any preggo mommas out there!

Royal Thanks

These pictures are by no means blog-worthy but there's a reason I'm putting my messy hair, no makeup face, grainy photos on the internet land.  There's also a reason I'm thanking Kate Middleton for inspiring this mommy outfit and helping keep my sanity.  Humor me and allow me to have a little fan moment here.  Dutchess Catherine gave birth a couple days after me.  When she left the hospital with millions of cameras on her, I was sitting in my recliner watching in my pjs, messy hair, undereye circles, and holding a crying newborn.  She was the epitome of grace and just looked so beautiful and at peace.  For a moment, I thought there was something wrong with me.  Here she was hours from giving birth looking amazing and I had been a crying mess looking all kinds of cray cray.  Then I noticed her bump.  I so loved that she didn't wear something that covered her postpartum bump.  Seeing her sport her bump and look graceful gave me hope.  Call me crazy but at that moment, I needed a boost.

It's been weeks of firsts for me and as I mentally prepare myself to return to work next week, crying my eyes out of course, I can't believe how happy and rich my life feels.  Below is just a small fraction of my firsts with Lucas.  I'm looking forward to many more first moments with our new little family!

Sweater: Loft  /  Jeans: AE  /  Shoes: Target  /  Bag: Louis Vuitton  /  Jewelry: Very Jane, David Yurman

First time seeing Lucas at the NICU

First kisses

First feeding

First night home...love my dark circles and red nose from crying!

First bath

First eye contact

First outing without him

First time in his swing