Last Look at 2013

So many things have happened in 2013. We moved into a new house, we had our first baby and celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary! I can't believe that this year is already over but I'm looking forward to what the new year has to bring.

Hope you have a happy and safe New Year.

In The Fields

dress: TJmaxx
shoes: Aldo
belt: thrifted

We finally managed to have some family photos done. We did couple shots when Jonathan was 3 months old but now that the summer is almost over, I wanted to capture some memories. With a country feel and a relaxed atmosphere, summer nights are perfectly warm and the sunsets are glorious for a nice shot.

 It's really difficult to get a good picture with an infant. When hubby and I are smiling and look into the camera, Jonathan is having a time of his life and playing around. 

Out of a hundred shots, only about five are good to be framed. My sister took the pictures and I still have to go through them and edit them - the price of free family portrait. 

I can't wait to make some canvas prints and hang them in my living room because those bare walls still need some major decor adjustment.

How are you doing with recent family photos? Two years behind or snapping pictures of every poop your kid makes? I'm somewhere in between.
Time flies so fast and with babies you really have to be sure to capture special moments before they are all grown up. It really is a bitter sweet time - loving the new and exiting memories we make but sad to see these moments go.

P.S. Pictures coming soon. Still have to do a lot of editing. 

With a Twist

blouse: Forever 21
skirt, belt: Target
shoes: Ann Taylor
bag: Nine West

I've been really bored with my hair lately. I had the ombre, then I decided to chop it and make it one color. Being home all day with an infant who's pulling on your hair every chance he gets, it's hard to wear anything but a high pony. 

So every time I'm going out to the store, church or anywhere else for that matter, I'm looking for a fun way to style my hair. I've attempted this hair style and it wasn't half bad. I really want to try this but I have very thick hair which ends up looking awful. 

Watching a bunch of YouTube videos I have forgotten about this easy up-do. When I looked at this girl inspiring hair and outfits, it clicked - French twist. Takes about 5 minutes to do and great for warm weather or simply picking up the hair. Add a strand of pearls and you look polished in a matter of minutes.

Loving the classy and 'grown-up' look of this outfit. 

How is your hair doing lately? Many bad hair days or glamorous up-dos? 

Thanks for stopping by.

Thrifty Chic

top & skirt: Thrifted
shoes: H&M

Thrift store shopping is probably my favorite kind, because you never know what you will find. Sure there is lots of junk out there and you have to look really close but in the end, it's worth it. Other times it's not.

When thrift store shopping, I have bought items I thought I needed and things there were too big/small in hopes of altering them myself. That never happened. 

One thing I do when I'm looking through the isles of unneeded clothing is stand out patterns, one-of-a-kind pieces and timeless classics. And of course the fit.

When I spotted this skirt, I loved the striped pattern but wasn't sure if I wasn't going to fit into it. The white top was a no-brainer. 

If you aren't sure about thrift store shopping give it a go on an off night, or with a friend who knows her way around. Then dig in and pay close attention to all the details, tags and patterns. Take your time and you will be surprised what you can find!

Happy Hump Day! 

Linking up with What I Wore Wednesday and Random Wednesday

Unplug

dress: Lord & Taylor
shoes: Aldo
clutch: H&M

I'm about to simplify my life.

Lately it has been (very) busy.Yes, I know you hear that all the time but it's true.

 Saturday morning hubby was home and we were all sleeping in (trying to at least). When Mr. Baby woke up we took him with us to bed and he was rolling and cooing all over. But both hubby and I kept reaching for the phone and checking whatever it is we are constantly checking. Then it hit me - this is ridiculous! We can't even play with our child without checking the phone all the time. 

This has got to stop!

We live in information overload age. If you not sure of something, all you have to do is Google it and bam, here is your answer. Constantly having multiple apps, email and blogs available on the phone is making this life a lot more stressful and complicated.

Comparing your life with someone else' Instagram account is driving us crazy because we are never satisfied with ours, constantly on the run and always distracted from 'real' life. 

I decided to change that.

From now on I will only be checking Facebook, email, Instagram and my blog once a day! To keep my sanity in tact, make sure I spend enough time with my family and focus on the important things in life (like having everyday devotionals), I  am going to set a time once a day where I check all the media outlets and pay all the online bills (if necessary). That way I don' have to feel  guilty about time spent online knowing that everything else taken care, that I'm not being idle wasting my time. 

I'm sure it's going to be hard at first because it's a habit and I do need to turn off all the notifications and stop constantly checking for comments on the blog. 

Enough said.

Let's make life simple again.

Have a great day!

In Between

tee: Loft
skirt: J.Crew
clutch: H&M
heels: Rampage

My body has been kind of in between lately. You know the stage where you don't have the big belly anymore but not quite back to the pre-pregnancy weight yet? Yep that one.

Until yesterday that is...

I fit into my favorite pair of denim shorts, (not just zipped the fly while not breathing) and I could actually comfortably move in them. It was a long awaited victory.

For some of you ladies, post baby weight loss may come easily and you spring back into shape the moment you pop that baby out, but others (mere mortals like myself) have to work for it. 

You become a mom, have new responsibilities, have another human being fully dependent on you and yet, have to look slim and sexy day two postpartum. Well, give yourselves a break! 

We do a lot and have the hardest job in the world, so if the baby weight isn't off yet, it's OK. 

Since when being a mom became a sexy role anyway? 

I've been really hard on myself. Beating myself up for gaining too much weight during pregnancy, not loosing it fast enough, for not getting everything in the house organized, for not taking Jonathan outside more, for not spending more time with hubby and more. The point is, the list never ends and I still feel overwhelmed no matter how much I got done.

We put a lot of pressure on ourselves and our families by trying to be everything for everyone. The most important thing though, is being happy from within. Your family and you will benefit from it more then from seeing skinny, hungry mom running around and having carrot sticks, while miserable.

Put those carrot sticks to good use- make yourself a carrot cake dear. Have a slice. 

Don't you feel better already?

Now go get on that treadmill and work them calories off.
Haha.

Don't Give Me Excuses. Give Me Results.

top: Target
skirt: Dorothy Perkins (dress)
heels: Guess
glasses: DNKY

Welcome back! 

How was your weekend? Mine was busy.
#pleasestoptime

I've been meaning to wear this dress couple of times but every time it was a little too... hmm how should I say it? Too much booty.

Well, with me loosing weight and all, it's finally fitting just right. I love the feel and color, but it's still a bit too dressy for simple Sunday outfit. It was a bit chilly in the morning, so I dressed it down with a blouse.

Apparently, the diet has been working. Can I get a woohoo? 

Woooohooo!

I did one week with no carbs and no dairy, and then another week were I ate a little bit of bread and rice here and there (I did splurge on French Toast once). It's been amazing to see results! 

Now I'm back to eating pretty much everything but still limiting sweets, ice cream and carbs, while focusing on veggies and whole grains. 

Also, I take walks as much as I can. Jonathan loves taking naps and I get my exercise - it's a team effort.

I am on the roll and loving it.

Are you currently dieting? Trying to loose that last belly fat? 

Do share your secrets people!
And have a great day!

Funk

tee, flats: Target
jacket: Gap
skirt: J.Crew
glasses: DKNY

I feel like I'm so behind with the fashion this summer. It's already August and I'm just getting to wear my summer whites. How lame is that? Pretty lame for a fashion blogger, I must say.

Well, better late than never right? Right. 

It's not that I don't have enough clothes, I just don't have the inspiration to put new combos together. I find a shirt that works and stick with it instead of trying new things.

 So you could say that I'm kind of in a closet funk and feel like I don't have very versatile pieces. That's what happens when you spend one  month's budget on two dresses that can only worn for special occasions. Don't get me wrong, I love the dresses but need more special occasions to wear them to. Date night it is.(hoping hubby is reading this;-)

Have a great weekend and thank you for reading!

Winding Down

top: Talbots
skirt: Thrifted
heels: Ann Taylor
clutch: DIY
necklace: Forever 21

According to the calendar, it's almost the end of summer and New York haven't even had real summer yet. We had non-stop rain the entire month of June, then it warmed up a little. But all the rain made the humidity get out of control, so that the only possible way of survival was inside, under an air conditioner. 

By the way, a blessing I am extremely thankful for is the central air conditioning system.

 It's absolutely amazing. I'm giving props to all the people who don't have A/C. I don't know how ya'll live.

We started having gorgeous weather last few weeks and now the days are warm and nights are cool. It's really beautiful out and yesterday was one of those days. We enjoyed it mostly by going to church, staying inside and (not) taking a nap because a certain someone with cutest chubby cheeks and beautiful grin decided that he will wake up every half an hour just to keep us on our toes.

Summer is winding down, so enjoy the beautiful weather by going to the park or having a picnic under a tree, take a bike ride or a trip to the beach. I know that I'm going to take advantage of this gorgeousness. 

Thank you for stopping by.

Have a great day!

New Do

top: Target
pants: Gap
shoes: Kate Spade
bag: Target
glasses: DKNY

Ever since I had baby Jonathan, my hair started showing signs of a nursing mother. It has been falling out at a crazy rate, and, frankly, I'm surprised I still have some of it. Seriously! 

Giving birth to another human being takes a toll on your body in so many ways, but I did not expect shedding to start. My hair grew to be very long and heavy, so there would be long brown packs in every corner of the house. It was even in Jonathan's diaper. Poor little guy.

I liked the ombre very much and was sad to let it go but I needed a change. 

To make sure that all the ends are evenly colored, I decided to chop them off and now feel so much better. A gorgeous day, new haircut, fresh pedicure and a stroll in a park marked it to be one of the better days.

How are you gals liking the new do?

Determined

top, necklace: Forever21
skirt: Loft
shoes: Bandolino
glasses: DKNY

I'm determined to loose the last bit of the baby weight. 

Seriously, it's time.

I wanted to be back in my pre-baby shape by the time Jonathan turns 6 months old and with only three more weeks I have ten(!) pounds to loose. Mostly, you mamas would know, it's the belly that's driving me nuts.

I've picked up running and finally decided to get on a diet. I didn't want to risk loosing my milk supply any earlier, that's why I had to eat moderate amounts of everything.

Now it's time to buckle up and and get cracking. Well, more like get dieting.

I'm cutting out all carbs (gasp! no more French toast oh my!) and dairy (has anyone seen sour cream?) for one week. We shall see what it does to me, my energy levels and my milk supply. Then I will decide if I want to keep going or find another method.
So far I felt just fine, except I need to drink plenty of water which I sometimes forget, then, of course, get a headache.

My game plan is to loose it all by the time I return to work at the end of August. 

Who's with me? 

What are your tricks to loosing the pesky baby weight? 

Do share, ladies!

On The Lake

We went to one of out favorite spots last weekend - it's a state park with two lakes that you can walk around. It's a quiet and remote place with mostly runners and very few people. It's so peaceful and the lakes are beautiful green color that you just can't capture in a picture. 

It was a perfect day and reminded me of our good ole' days when we used to sneak out and just drive up to the lake and walk. We would walk and talk for hours.
Now we just tell each other what to do. Haha. Just kidding. I tell him what to do and he doesn't listen. 

Anywho, we had a lovely time.

Hope you guys have a great weekend! 

Enjoy the summer and get out to do something fun.