A Mother's Day Weekend in Pictures

I absolutely adore when my Mum is able to come down to Newport for a visit, and I was thrilled when she offered to come down for Mother's Day! I had originally wanted to go up to Maine to visit her, but with getting into 3rd trimester and traveling/hosting guests the past two weekends, and this upcoming weekend, I just wasn't sure I would be able to swing another car trip. I'm so grateful for the time that we get to spend together- she's my best friend, a pillar of strength, a giver of sage and sound advice and someone who can make me laugh until I cry! 

We completely indulged our girly side throughout the weekend, starting with a casual pasta dinner I whipped up on Friday night. Saturday we took in a helicopter tour of the island, did some baby window shopping, picked up some supplies for the upcoming baby shower and got our lobster on with fabulous twin lobster rolls from Easton's Beach Snack Bar. We headed back to the apartment to put our feet up and catch the Kentucky Derby (what a great race- hope you caught it!), and closed out the night with decadent gourmet ice cream and fresh berries. 

Sunday we took in a long brunch at our favorite spot, Cafe Zelda (mentioned many, many times here) where Mum had what was arguably the BEST deep dish lobster quiche either of us had ever tasted in our lives. I could go on for days about the incredible texture, flaky pastry and perfectly cooked lobster! We took a post-brunch stroll through town and hit up the antique armory and some other shops before reluctantly heading back to the apartment so she could make her way back home.

I might not technically be a Mama yet, but I can't imagine a better way to spend Mother's Day, or better company to share it with! 

A Mother's Day present to myself- my ErgoBaby!

(complete with Ninja giving it the once over in the corner)

Mummy preparing for takeoff on her first ever helicopter ride!

A beautiful day to take in the sights- over Fort Adams

Mum & I post-flight, totally amused with ourselves

Waiting on our lobster rolls at the snack shack, windy but beautiful day!

The inaugural lobster roll feast, enjoyed in the car overlooking the ocean at Brenton's Point

Beautiful flowers from Mum, they still look amazing days later!

I can still taste the deliciousness...

Mama-to-Be Style

It's the latest Summer 2011 fashion accessory!

Cardigan: J.Crew, Top: Old Navy, Leggings: Poof, Sandals: Steve Madden, Scarf: Forever 21

I have been thinking a lot recently about maternity/pregnancy posts for the blog now that I find myself on the cusp of parenthood (yikes!), and how exactly I wanted to “break the ice” with the topic. Since I spend a fair amount of this blog writing about adventures in general and some of my favorite style pieces, I thought kicking it off with a “Mama Style” post would be a good start.

It took me a while to finally find my “Mama Style”- as those of you who have been through pregnancy know, there are a lot of physical ups and downs to go right along with all of the emotional ones. Throughout my first trimester, I was very tired and quiet honestly not all that concerned with my look. It was October through January, so comfort really reigned supreme. Once my initial bloat (ugh!) died down, I really didn’t have much of a bump to dress until around the 20 week mark- a fact that I was not pleased with. I was dying to have a cute little bump to show off, but my lovely babe did not seem interested in introducing itself to the world. Alas!

After a terrible early spring weather-wise, the sky gods seem to be smiling upon us, and true springtime weather seems to be here, hooray! With that, I have been inspired to adorn my ever-growing bump in bright outfits and comfortable layers. It’s amazing what a pop of color and a pair of open toed shoes can do for your mood! Fashion and style-wise, it is a great time to be pregnant, since tunics, flowy tops and light fabrics are quite in these days, even for the not-with-child set. Because of this, I lucked out big time and have been able to incorporate a lot of my pre-pregnancy pieces into my current wardrobe. Anything with an empire waist, some stretch or drape has been seeing a lot of miles in my attire, and I am grateful for not having to shell out crazy amount of money to maintain my comfort and style. I finally caved and picked up a couple of pairs of maternity jeans on the cheap, and I will admit they are well worth it. While I skated by for a long time with some low slung Joe’s Jeans Jeggings (yes, I know the word is evil, but they are crazy stretchy and comfy!), having that extra “give” in the waistline of my maternity jeans is a thing of beauty. I also got myself a couple of lose, comfortable maxi dresses (non-maternity) that would help me transition into summer for both pre and post baby, as my due date is smack dab in the middle of July, and they have already paid for themselves a million times over. So by purchasing these pieces and a couple other maternity friendly items (long layering tanks, t-shirts, etc), I have created what I feel is a great maternity wardrobe without breaking the bank or compromising my own style. The best advice I could give another mama-to-be is to not run out too early and stock up (you have no idea what your pregnant body will really look like, trust me), don’t bother with designer pieces (unless you are one of the lucky few who has a sweet disposable income), and have fun with it! After all, who really would have the testicular fortitude to walk up to a pregnant woman and tell them their look is a mess?

So here you go- a show and tell for some of my recent maternity looks (bonus points for spotting my fashion stylist, Ninja kitties in some pictures)….

Tank: Poof, Cowl Neck Top: Anthropologie, Cardigan: J.Crew, Skirt: Old Navy, Boots: Aerosoles

Top: Angie, Cardigan: J.Crew, Scarf: Gift from my Mama!, Jeans: Old Navy maternity, Shoes: Qupid

Oxford: Ralph Lauren, Sweater: Vineyard Vines, Jeans: Old Navy Maternity, Shoes: Banana Republic

Top: Old Navy, Necklace: Boutique out on Block Island, Jeans: Old Navy maternity (notice a trend???), Shoes: Old Navy

Dress: Lily Pulitzer, Long Sleeve T: Boden, Belt: Vintage, Boots: Steve Madden

My Mother's Day outfit!

Sunnies: Vintage Ann Klein II from Mum, Dress: Old Navy Maternity, Cardigan: Vineyard Vines, Boots: Steve Madden, Necklace: Old Navy

So there you have it- a couple of snippets of my Mama-to-be Style, now get on down and rock your bump ladies!

Just Can't Get Enough

Books. I love them. I love absolutely everything about them. I love their weight in your hand, their distinct smells and the feeling of the paper. Some (ahem, my husband) would say that I am a bit of a book packrat, and I completely embrace the title. I come from a family of readers who covet the written word- the house that I grew up in literally has a library room,  and the shelves are stuffed with volumes of both old and new. It's a place I consider a sanctuary, with large windows and a leather couch that tempts you to slide in and enjoy an afternoon lost in pages. 

I have been thinking about books a lot recently in light of the new generations of e-readers that have come out. While conceptually I appreciate the e-reader, I’m just not sure it is for me. If I were someone who was traveling frequently and needed a space saving, efficient way to travel with my novel du jour, I think I would invest in a Kindle or Nook in a heartbeat. Since I am unfortunately not employed as either a travel writer, salesmen of medical equipment or author, I’ll stick think I’ll be sticking with the vintage style.

In addition to the reasons mentioned above, I also love book styling. I’m one of those readers who wants to know why a certain font was chosen, who the cover/jacket artist is, the whole nine yards. Yes, I understand that the Nook is offered in a color version, which allows the reader to have access to all of this information, but to me, it’s just not the same.

I also absolutely adore used books and used bookstores. Not only can you score some pretty incredible and rare finds, but I feel like I’m doing a small part to be environmentally friendly with my need to devour literature. Very rarely will I pick up a book “hot off the press” if I can find a used copy somewhere- it usually comes down to something that is new in print and I am dying to pour through it. There is very little I find more soothing than strolling lazily through a used bookstore on a rainy day in search of treasures. I love finding books that may have inscriptions or notes tucked away in the margins, underlining of witty phrases and other signs of love from past readers. It’s no different than the feeling of success I get when I find a great piece of vintage furniture or clothing at a great price, and I can’t wait to get home and enjoy my new find.

Again, while I appreciate all that the e-reader has to offer, I just don’t think that it will ever replace the pleasure I take in actual, physical books. Maybe it stems from my general disinterest in hopping on board with the newest items in technology, but I’ll stick with my overflowing shelves of the good ol’ paper and print for the time being (sorry Kyle!). 

Enjoying Newport Life

As we eek closer and closer to leaving this area, heading to Maine for the birth of our first child, and then beginning our adventure down South in Louisiana, Kyle and I have vowed to spend the weekends he is home enjoying as much of the area as we can, and this weekend was no exception. After sitting on a package we purchased through BuyWithMe almost a year ago, we finally booked our first helicopter ride for Saturday afternoon! The folks at Bird's Eye View are really awesome, they were incredible accomodating and made us feel totally comfortable. The weather was a bit dicey this weekend, so our pilot Jeff booked us for Saturday with the assurance that if we weren't comfortable with the weather, he would take us up on Sunday. Although it was blowing stink, Jen in the office assured us that we would have a great time, and we went for it. Jeff is a seasoned pilot, who has been flying aircraft since he was 18, so we were more than confident in his abilities. It wasn't the sunniest trip, but we had an absolute blast!

So much fun! As part of our package, we also recieved two passes for a tour and wine tasting at Newport Vineyards. We saved the passes for Sunday afternoon (which turned out to be beautifully sunny, but windy again!) and headed over for the 3 o'clock tour and tasting after taking a leisurely drive around the island. It's a small vineyard with a very friendly and knowledgable staff- very fun (and yes, I had small samples of a couple of the wines, such a badass, I know)!

It was a fantastic way to spend a weekend together, as we know that the weekends we have left with just the two of us are numbered. As I've said before, we are beyond anxious for the arrival of our lovely first-born child, but I think it's so important that we take advantage of this time together before the arrival of the babe to strengthen our bond, and enjoy all that Newport has to offer before we leave town for the next set of adventures.

Now, what will the next weekend bring...

Oh, Go Fly A Kite!

What's a couple to do on the first fully nice weekend in Southern New England? Get out and enjoy the town!

We had a wonderfully relaxing weekend around Newport, taking advantage of the mostly sunny skies and mild upper 40s temps by walking all through town and seeing the sights. We did a huge loop of town on foot Staurday- going down through America's Cup Blvd, out Thames and then up to Bellevue to pick up part of the Cliff Walk on our way home. We had a mini picnic at the head of the Walk and enjoyed the view out over Easton's Beach in the lee of the land.

Sunday we took a ride out to Ocean Drive to watch the sun dance off of the water. There were dozens of cars parked out on the point, and people seemed to be everywhere- walking, taking photos, lounging in the (brownish) grass and worshipping the sun. Love it! We decided to head out to Second Beach over in Middletown to christen the packable kite my mother had given Kyle for Christmas. Although the winds were a bit strong for our little prisim, she toughed it out, and we had a great afternoon on the beach- even getting the chance to chat with a couple of young kite enthusiasts.

A great afternoon in fresh air was capped off by a tasty lunch downtown (catching the tail end of Newport's Restaurant Week and $16 three course lunches!), and another walk through downtown before heading home to nap, read and relax for the rest of the day.

Now I find myself more eager than ever for spring to finally make her presence known!

Cold Weather Beauty Tops

It’s been a little while since I last did a favorites list or review, and as I’ve been trying out a fair amount of new health & beauty products it seems like a perfect excuse to share with you all! I think my recent experimentation has been caused primarily by the changing of seasons- as colder weather begins to creep in around the edges (it snowed in portions of Maine this weekend while I was home, crazy!), I am harshly reminded to boost up my skin and body care routines to ward off the onslaught of winter’s dry skin, brittle hair, and cracking nails. This crusade to protect my fragile, pale skin and fine hair has lead me to discover some new products, as well as re-acquainting myself with some old friends. In no particular order, my tops for beauty & skin care finds:

1) Biomega Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner: My wildly talented hair stylist, Megan, at Ki-Ra Salon recently switched me from Moroccan Oil to Biomega during my last salon trip, and I am never looking back. Although I loved the smell and hydration of the Moroccan Oil products, it just seemed to be too heavy for my fine textured hair. I’ve never had a problem with having oily hair, and it seemed if I didn’t wash it every day, I would be left with a lot of oil build-up, not cool. Moroccan Oil seemed to weigh my hair down significantly, causing it to have a lot less of its usual body, and as a result I would just end up throwing it up in a ponytail and ignoring it. After consulting with Megan, she recommended the Biomega products, as she had done for other clients with similar issues. The products smell incredibly fresh and light, moisturize perfectly without being weighty, and come in significantly under the price of Moroccan Oil. I knew it was a perfect match when after washing my hair at home for the first time and doing a thorough towel dry, my hair was already picking up a little volume. I actually did a little photo shoot with my good friend, the very talented Earl Brewer, the next day and even he commented on how fabulous the volume was, and the proof is in the pictures:

Another great selling point? I’ve always had pretty strong gripes with the hair care industry for selling shampoo & conditioner in the same size bottles. Unless you have very long hair, you’re more than likely using ½ the conditioner as compared to shampoo usage, which can be a pain when replenishing your supply. The smart cookies behind Biomega sell their shampoo in 10oz. bottles and conditioner in 5oz tubes. Love it! And if you need another reason to check them out, the parent company, Aquage, is a partner with Susan G. Komen for the cure in the fight against breast cancer and raising breast cancer awareness!

2) Bare Minerals Cosmetics: I think the last time that I wore a liquid foundation would be right around the era of 1999-2000, and for just reason- I could never find one that I like! I have very fair, sensitive skin (thank you, Irish roots), and I would continually feel like I had a layer of frosting on my face any time I attempted to wear it, so I gave up on foundation all together. Fast forward almost ten years later to when my mother discovered Bare Minerals just before my 2008 nuptials. She had been looking for lightweight coverage, and stopped by a great little boutique make-up shop in Boothbay, About Face for a consult. The owner was very helpful and gave my mother a wonderful custom consult with the Bare Minerals products, which she was so happy with she went ahead and purchased. After test driving her products a few times, I bit the bullet and purchased my own. The powder foundation is ridiculously light, you don’t even feel like you have anything on, and any unevenness or blemishes are evenly covered. The blush is very subtle, and their make-up brushes are incredibly soft (I’m a very tactile person!). I have since expanded out to their Buxom Lip Gloss line (all with cheeky stripper-esque names), fortified with lip plumpers, their Prime Time base (gives skin and crazy smooth surface and is super light), and their mascaras that are always feathery and light. I don’t worry about the blemishes that would undoubtedly pop up when using other bases and the coverage is light and flawless. They even recently re-designed their loose powder pots with sealable internal lids, which avoid the ever-popular powder explosion that used to happen upon opening up the pot for the first time after it had been shaken about in your travel bag. Bare Minerals has made me a proud convert to the “Swirl, Tap, Buff” mantra.

3) Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion: If you are a woman between the ages of 17 and 100 and you have yet to discover or try Clinique face lotion, do it now!!! Seriously. This is yet another product pass-down from my mother, and in the 15 or so years that I have been using it, this lotion has never done me wrong. It is totally hypoallergenic, fragrance free and gentle, but tough enough to stand up to winter’s bite. I would honestly guess that one of my first memories as a young girl would be the simple yellow bottle with its polished silver top standing on my mother’s bedside table- a residence it still upholds today. While trends and new revelations in skin care come and go, there is a reason why this little genius has stood the test of time for so many women for years, and for our family, generations.

4) Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear: I am an insult to woman-kind when it comes to my nail painting skills, and I openly admit it. I have always lusted after the girls who were capable of slapping on a perfectly painted manicure in minutes and would stare longingly at their perfect polish applications. I think my fault lies in one simple characteristic: extreme lack of patience. While I love the look of painted nails, I hate waiting around for them to dry, and 90% of the time I end up assuring myself that my nails are “dry enough” before deciding to re-pot all the house plants or clean the bathroom tile grout. This always results in my nails looking like they were done by a four year old wearing a blindfold, and I swear off polishing my nails until the next time I convince myself I can master the task. A few months ago, I discovered the Xtreme Wear line, and shockingly, we’re now BFFs. The colors are all very saturated, go on smoothly and dry quickly- score! Not only do I love the way my nails look just after a fresh coat, the color stand up to everything I put my hands through- cooking, cleaning, slamming around on keyboards and general mayhem- and still look pretty damn good. There is a huge selection of colors as well, and with minimal upkeep, this strengthening polish can look great for a full week, if not longer. Finally, I’m a true girl!

5) Burberry “Weekend” Cologne: Ok, so not really a beauty product per-se, but I felt it was worthwhile to pay homage to my favorite of scents. Technically, I believe this is a men’s fragrance, although I’ve taken to wearing men’s scents for years now. As I am not usually attracted to flowery smelling perfumes, this Burberry scent is the best thing I’ve ever found. It’s a little crisp laundry, a little shaving cream fresh and fully relaxed and subtle enough for everyday wear without overpowering (there is nothing that makes me crazier when you can smell a person’s- male or female- scent spray when you’re more than 5ft away). It evokes exactly what the name is all about: a casual, comfortable scent that’s just as good when worn with a LBD as it is with jeans and an old Hanes. Classic, a little preppy, and perfectly comfortable in any setting.

6) The Body Shop Body Butter: What can I say about The Body Shop’s Body Butter that hasn’t already been said??? This heavy duty moisturizer is like a gift from heaven for those of us that are stricken with dry, sensitive winter skin. I have been using their Brazil Nut Body Butter for at least ten years (I was devastated when they discontinued the Soy version- the Brazil nut was a great consolation), and it has never done me wrong. I keep a pot of this wonder product on my bedside table (right next to my YogaToes) and I love the feeling of the deep moisturization after a post work shower. It relieves cracked hands and feet, takes away the “alligator skin” that sneaks up on your limbs, and doesn’t clog pores in the process. While I don’t personally use this as my everyday moisturizer, I love treating myself to a little extra body hydration once or twice a week to keep my skin healthy and protected from the harsh New England winter weather.

So that’s my list of beauty go-tos for colder temps- what products do you rely on to get you through the frostier months?

MADly in Love

Only recently have Kyle and I discovered Mad Men, and become completely hooked. Yes, I realize that the show just wrapped up its fourth season on AMC, but I am notorious for being slightly behind the times when it comes to good TV. I also happen to really enjoy when you get your hands on an entire season of a show on DVD so that you can watch at your own pace, even setting aside and enitre weekend to consume every last bit of entertainment. There isn't much I can say about Mad Men that hasn't already been said, and probably noted a couple years back- the writing is sharp, the costume and set design are exquisite, and the entire ensemble cast are a force.

The other day I was parousing my Google reader and came across a posting on the Sweet Nothings blog showing off the Mad Men inspired "Save the Date" cards made by the smart cookies over at The Wedding Chicks- brilliant! Naturally I had to make my own:

 While they are presented as "Save the Date" cards, I think they would work perfectly for just about any occassion for a couple: anniversary party invitations, wall art, a wedding gift to another couple (say, for a first anniversary, since paper is the traditional gift!)- the applications are limitless.

While I go back to making moon-pie eyes at Don Draper, check out The Wedding Chicks website for lots of cute custom ideas, and you can even make your own Mad Men card here, just pick out your colors and text, fill out the email address portion, and they'll mail you your custom card proof and you can place an order for your own custom cards. Tres chic!