Mommy Must Haves: For Baby-Personals

1. Side Snap Long Sleeve Shirts. In the hospital, Cole was outfitted in one of these and his diaper. It made it super easy to change him and everything exposed was covered-his arms, little hands and chest. The rest of him was swaddled up so it didn't matter that he had no pants on! The side-snap was key because pulling a shirt off a newborn baby's fragile neck is not a fun thing to do in my (and my husband's!) book.

2. GuavaMitts. We had other hand covers for Cole but none of them worked because they fell off half the time. Cole had long nails from the start and cutting them when they are soft at the beginning was a no-go so covering his tiny fingers was key to him not scratching himself all the time. Someone gifted us these and they are great. We love them and think that they are worth their hefty price tag!

3. Baby Nail Clipper+File. The "file" part is key because newborn nails are so soft that cutting them is extremely difficult because it's hard to tell the difference between nail and skin. A nurse at our babycare class gave us the "get a baby file!" tip and even though it didn't totally eliminate the scratching problem, it at least softened the problem enough to let his hands out to breathe sometimes.

4. Socks. Newborn feet are always a temp below everything else. I don't know why this is but it's so true-Cole's head can hold heat like no other, but touch his feet and they're like icicles sometimes! Get socks that fit for each stage so they don't fall off-I'd recommend solid colors because they match everything and you don't have to try and find the "pair" in the laundry either!

5. Brush. Not so much an essential for us (Cole was bald at birth) but I could see it being one for the more hair-inclined baby set. Cole has some hair now and it's soothing for him to have his head brushed after his bath.

6. Snotsucker. Weirdest contraption ever but it works! 

7. Hat. Babies lose heat through their heads and the dear Mama Lupe, who watched my own husband when he was a baby, swears by her "put a hat on a baby, he never get sick" philosophy. Bonus is that they look uber cute ;) so why not?

Obviously, there are other essentials you will need for baby too-carseat, bassinet/crib, etc. but I'm going to be detailing those out in another installment of Mommy Stuff Mondays.

Happy Thanksgiving week everyone!
Mama A

Disney+Barneys

This month our pals at Disney are getting a little makeover courtesy of the fashion high house Barney's.

I love to see what holiday window campaigns the main brand stores come up with for the holidays-and the windows of Barney's New York are no exception. One day I will be in New York during Christmas season so I can soak up all this goodness in person!

 Why hello dahhling Daisy Duck. Quite the sophisticate here don't you think? ;)

Blane's favorite Disney character of all time is Goofy. Wonder if he'd recognize him all Barney-d out in his chic ghettofabulousness above?

And finally, the iconic Miss Minnie Mouse, hardly recognizable in her frilly ensemble. Demure and sophisticated...ready for a fancy night out on the town with her man Mickey. Hah!

I'm not a Barney's shopper, but I find design tweaks on popular images such as these interesting. Did you know that Barney's also has commissioned fancy pancy designers to redo the iconic Disney Mouse ears? Those will be available in stores this week too for all you Disney loving fashionistas.

Tres chic!

Aim

P.S. Just so you're in the know, there's been a bit of a backlash over these images from people who say that they have made the characters too skinny thus encouraging the whole "thin is beautiful" stigma. I say just look at it as art and don't read into it, but you can think what you may! 

Mom's the Word

The other night Mom invited us over for dinner. No, it wasn't a special occasion or anyone's birthday, it was just a normal evening. It was exciting though because of one reason-Mom was cooking! My Mom doesn't think that she is a very good cook but every time she actually takes the time to do it, it turns out great and this night was no exception.

Mama made pot roast with potatoes, carrots and onions and it. was. heavenly. Not too long ago, I wouldn't have touched this meal with a 10-foot fork, but it's the new me people, and the new me has a far bigger culinary palate than the old me ever did!

It was so nice to sit and have a home cooked meal together. It was cold outside and Mom had the fire roaring and it was just so cozy and wonderful and perfect. The only missing pieces were my sister and bro-in-law, but they were with us in spirit, I know ;).

Thanks Mom for a great meal and for hosting some good family time. 

Did a body good ya know? ;)

Aim

Currently Shopping...J.Crew

Just for fun, if I was personally shopping the J. Crew catalog right now...

J. Crew Glitter Shop Girl's Long-Sleeve Sequin Bow Tee-tons of fashionable women snag awesome girl's clothes, just in bigger sizes. Not sure if I could swing that, but if I could I'd snag this!

J. Crew Collection Leather Bomber Jacket-love the sleeves, the drapier yet structured front panel, the cognac color with jeans...love, love, love.

J. Crew Collection Cafe Capri in Jacquard Dot-just something to switch up your normal plain skinnies, jeans or tight pant.

J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Wool Flannel-because I love the fit and I LOVE the color!

J. Crew Classic Link Bracelet-classic and timeless...and it looks good with everything!

J. Crew Giant Bow Sweater-LOVE!!!

J. Crew Boy Shirt in Grey Tartan-I wouldn't style it like this, but I love that it's fitted, thinner material and the print is fabulous.

J. Crew Perfect Shirt in Stripe Thomas Mason Fabric-a classic print for a classic shirt that can be worn a million different ways.

J. Crew Harper Leather Boots-perfection in a boot! Love the gold zipper accent too!

J. Crew Nili Lotan Hunter Jacket-because this is amazing.

J. Crew Collection Cashmere Baby Sweater in Mini Stripe-because I couldn't leave out something for the little guy! Darling isn't it? Just wish it wasn't so darn expensive. Who spends this type of moolah on a baby anyway???

Thanksgiving is already next week which means that Christmas is not far behind! A friendly reminder to get a jumpstart on your gift finding now-we've got just under six weeks 'til Christmas! :D

Happy Shopping everyone!

Aim

TJ Love

How many of you read today's title and thought I was talking about Tijuana?!? Be honest now... ;)

*Disclaimer: This Mama was up a lot last night so this post might contain more "quirkiness" than usual. 

Good Morning! Cole decided to stay awake after his early morning feeding today so I decided to head over to Trader Joe's since we were up anyway.

 Ever been to a Trader Joe's that looked like this?!? Apparently, we were early and they weren't even open yet. -__- That's a first! Haha. So we hung out in the empty parking lot for awhile until we were allowed in. On the plus side, everything that is normally sold out was well stocked and ready for us! I thought I'd share a few of the seasonal treats that I'm digging at TJ's since I was at my leisure to take pics with my iPhone! (another perk to going early-you get the store to yourself and the staff is really friendly :)

 These are two of my current TJ obsessions. Seriously, you must try! The Gingerbread Molasses cookies are "break and bake" so they're super easy and super delicious. Added bonus is that it makes your house smell like the holidays which I LOVE :D. The Cranberry Walnut Bread is my exception to my "hate breads with nuts rule" and man, is it an exception. This bread is sold out all the time at TJ's and I totally know why, it's that good. I snagged three loaves today because I'm slicing and freezing me some to last me longer than a week...a few days...a day? Haha. It's my current kryptonite!

 I love that TJ's is big on seasonal "what's fresh" items. I saw a man the other week carrying eight of these Pumpkin Spice Coffee tins to the register. EIGHT!!! I figure it's that yummy but unfortunately, because I'm off the caffeine right now I can't personally vouch for it. But the 8-tin man will, I'm positive of that ;). The little cake on the left is a Gingerbread cake (note the little g-bread man on top) and while I haven't tried it either I'm certain that the smiley g-bread man wouldn't let our tastebuds down.

 These next two I thought would make cool hostess gifts or perfect additions to a holiday gift basket. Who doesn't love them some yummy Peppermint Hot Chocolate? And anything with "Kona Coffee" is a YES in my book-don't these dipped Shortbread Cookies look divine?

Last but not least...Thanksgiving!!! Three cheers for an establishment who is actually recognizing Thanksgiving before Christmas! TJ's has Fresh Brined Turkey (save you some work-yippee!) and all the side fixin's you can imagine (sorry didn't get a pic of them). My eye was drawn, however, to this display of Moscato simply because the bottles were so pretty. Again, great hostess gift material!

So anyway, that's my morning Ode to Trader Joe's. I love this place and it's the thing I'm thankful for today...that I live close enough to walk to my local TJ's! :D

Have a great day all~I'm off to have a slice (or two or three ;) of my Cranberry Walnut Bread...Mmmm, so heavenly...

Aim

Weekend Recap

Hello! How was your weekend? Ours was full and nice, thanks for asking! :D

Mom and I had a little shopping fun while Blane was golfing on Saturday. Have I mentioned lately that GAP is killing it this season?!? I have never been a GAP girl, but this fall someone in the Women's design department is working overtime because this collection is AMAZING. :D

Check it out here-G A P.

Of course, the queen of shopping herself gave her grandson a little lesson in Shopping 101.

 We even had a diaper changing fest in one of the dressing rooms. Haha. The stuff that having a kid makes you do!

Perk of living close to your parents-instababysitters! :) Blane and I got to go out on a little date night while the little guy hung out with Papa and Mims. 

 Another weekend, another cry room pic. Cole is loved on every week by our wonderful youth. I love that they love him so. <3

 Blane and Dad's expressions while talking to Cole: Priceless.

 "Dude, Mom, you're changing me where?!?"

And so the week begins. Let's make it a good one shall we? :)

Aim

TGIF

A late Friday post today. Mama had lots of wonderful babysitters today (thank you Auntie, Dad and Meliss! :) and I got to spend some time sleeping (amazingggg!), getting in on the Christmas cup action at Starbucks with Quiddie, catching up with Meliss and of course, some speed shopping at Target!

Meliss and I in our "it's finally fall weather" outfits today. So lovin' this weather!

Can't leave ya'll without a Cole shot for the weekend. Here's one Auntie Meliss took this afternoon~she always captures Cole's best expressions!

Off to have some TGIF family time-Blane's home! Hope you all enjoy this beautiful, cool fall weekend! :D

Aim