Friday, September 28, 2012

Kristin Cavallari getting smoothies. Not News.

Photo via The Superficial

Because this is exactly what I wore out of the house with an almost 8 weeker. And that is NOT a diaper bag. 


Please explain. Hooker heels? Pleather? Tight shirt? How in the hell does she breastfeed in that top? I'm not a hater but can she please just be a tad more Jennifer Garner than Hoochie Mom?

Thursday, September 27, 2012

iToddlers

Photo via Getty Images

I came across this article by Jonathan Anker "Your iPad is not a babysitter" on HLN.Com and I found myself wondering what course I should take with my kids. Here are some highlights:


  • Parents should enforce a separation of kid and gadget
  • With all that a young child can be doing, learning, creating, why encourage them to zone out?
  • Teach your child the alphabet yourself. You don't need an app for that

F already loves the iPhone. This happened completely by accident but we downloaded the Fisher Price app "Where's Puppy?" and it was the only thing we could do sometimes to get him to eat or calm him down. Then the other day I had a release for work and M was out of town so I played the video of Peanut Butter Jelly Time, In the Jungle, Move it on my other monitor and the kid was OBSESSED. He is smart enough to also know they can be played on our phones so any time he even sees an iphone he wants it.



We do not own Ipads but I have pinned several ideas on Pinterest for apps, cases...etc for kids to use them. I mean, with all these accessories for kids to use your Ipad that must mean everyone is doing it right?




All images via Pinterest


Is this smart? Should we be a non-techy family? That is hard if you have ever seen our formal living room where my husband and I work. We both have 22" widescreen dual monitors for work plus our laptops out.

What is your take on this? I'm on the fence. As a kid I only got to watch TV while I ate dinner and if homework was done but I was also a big Nintendo kid...I could play Mario or Zelda for hours. On the other hand I was very outdoorsy and would pretend to be an archaeologist and tie ropes to trees and dig for quartz off the ledges at Chipmunk Hill.

xoxo

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Charlotte Consignment Sale-Wallace's Wearhouse

I promise this is my last kids clothing post for awhile but I wanted to spread the word about Wallace's Warehouse!

Wallace lives off Barclay Downs and hosts one of the year's most fabulous consignment sales at her home. I do not know her personally but she is the sweetest woman and this sale must be a lot of work! She only accepts higher end clothes for kids ages 12 months - 16 years and also has women's clothes. This is my second time shopping her sale and I always hit the jackpot!

Wall to Wall of adorable clothes!

Which pumpkin outfit should F get??!! This is my pile I'm sorting through outside. I went with the Orange!

I wouldn't normally spill the beans on this best kept secret but Wallace says traffic has been slow and she donates the profits to such amazing charities so I wanted to help spread the word! Please forward to your friends, family, and those grandmothers that love to buy your little ones clothes!!!

Please stop by today or tomorrow if you have time! There are still lots of great items. Here is the information.

Wallace's Wearhouse
                Fall/Winter Clothing Consignment Sale                                     

Wednesday, Sept 26    4:00-8:00  PM  (open to the public)
Thursday, Sept 27      9:30-1:30 & 4:00-8:00 PM  (most items 50% off all day) 

At the home of Wallace Barnes
3204 Ferncliff Road, 28211
 
*cash or check only*
 
Women's sizes 0-12 and is loaded with designer and retail name dresses and tops/pants/skirts for the everyday look or that special party!  Lots of coats!  Designer jeans are back! 
 
Children's inventory includes trunk show names (Ragsland, Beaus et Belles, Kelly's Kids, Frances Elizabeth Originals, Hannah and Kate, etc), Smocked pieces (Anavini, Silly Goose, Viva le Fete, Tennille, etc), Lilly, Crew Cuts, Ralph Lauren, Mini Boden and more!  Sizes 12 mons -14/16 girls and 12 mons-16/18 boys.  HUGE RACK of PRETEEN clothes size 9/10 and 12-16!!  LOTS OF COATS and SKI clothes!!
 
Children are welcome during the sale but please note there is limited space. 
 
Please obey parking signs on the street and only park on one side (even side streets)!
 
Questions?  wbarnes@mindspring.com
 
A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Maryland Center for Celiac Research, Mercy Ministries (www.mercyministires.com), Faith Home (www.faithhomegwd.net) in Greenwood, SC, Reformed University Fellowship at Johnson and Wales University (www.jwu.ruf.org), The Pregnancy Resource Center (www.prccharlotte.com) and the Harvest Center (www.theharvestcenter.org).
 

PS-Wallace, if you see this I am completely envious of your basement!!!!! What amazing space!

Here is the peanut modeling his new sweater!

xoxo

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Should I have another? (Baby not cocktail)

Photo via Leah Hoskins 

As soon as you say your "I do's" people are harassing you with the questions about kids. And as soon as you get to stop wearing the post-baby pantyhose the hospital gives you people are asking if you will have another one. As Tina Fey said “My parents raised me that you never ask people about their reproductive plans. “You don’t know their situation,” my mom would say. I considered it such an impolite question that for years I didn’t even ask myself. Thirty-five turned into forty faster than McDonald’s food turns into cold nonfood.” 
― Tina FeyBossypants
Also from Fey's HILARIOUS Bossypants (I'm paraphrasing here...can't remember the actual quote) She talked about having a second and what it would mean for their lifestyle. Would they go to dinner and order a salad or to a nice restaurant and order steaks? Would the family take trips to Deleware or Paris? I can definitely relate to this...I mean if we have another will my kids be decked out in Cherokee's finest from Wal-Mart or can I splurge on the $30 cords at the Gap? I also remember her on the Today show and Matt Lauer asked her about having a second child and she said the decision to have another kid is like...oh, i'm getting old, the store is closing, i better buy those pants!

So, do you have multiple kids? Are you thinking of a second? I have several friends that have kids 2 years (or close to) apart. Most of these ladies did it on purpose and their family dynamic seems to be perfect. I have already missed that window and quite honestly I can't imagine being pregnant right now.

Me and my big brother!

I guess you could say I was an only child growing up but I have an 13 years older half brother. By the time we moved to Asheville from New Orleans he was at Christ School as a Boarding student. When he graduated I was five and he went off to the College of Charleston. So technically we never lived in the same house. (Not until I was 22 and moved in with him in West Palm Beach.) I loved when he would come home for the holidays! I adored him and everything he did was just so cool. Is that how F will look up to D who is 10 years older? Did I have the best of both worlds or was I missing out on not having a sibling at home?

Then there is the question about how will it affect everyone else in your family. How will D take it? He loves F but will that make him feel less part of the family if we have another? And how will F take it? Have you moms battled jealousy issues with older brothers in the 2.5+ age gap? How will Max do? I'm not sure he is all gung-ho about having another but he agrees that kids should have siblings. (He is the youngest of three boys) And while F does have a half-sibling there is no guarantee how much they will see of each other as D gets older.

My brother is F's Godfather

We watched the Descendants this weekend and while the older sister helps the dad the most at least she also is a shoulder for the little sister to cry on. I'm so thankful that I have Beau on my team to tackle the future issues of aging parents. I can't imagine going through Dad's illness or Mom's Alzheimer's without my brother and his wife.

My Mom's two brothers and sister

My Dad's sister and brother

Another bonus? Cousins!!! Glorious cousins!!! My father was 1 of 3 and my mom was 1 of 4 growing up and my network of cousins is vast and amazing. Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews...the whole kit and kaboodle; all of that stems from having siblings. Second cousins are just considered cousins in the Boylan/Brown world and I can probably name twenty friend that we consider cousins as they are just like family!
D with my niece and nephew (5 years ago!)

All my crazy cousins at my brother's wedding in 1997

Christmas in New Orleans, I'm the little brat on the right crying. 

So do we do it? (Don't worry, we haven't pulled the goalie yet) I know if we do have another that will be it. I mean daycare alone will cost $2,000/month. That is a vacation home mortgage payment! And in this economy I hate to be the cause of a slowdown in Jim Beam demand.

Once you do make the decision to go for it there is the question of the age gap. Joanna at A Cup of Jo did a great post on the question about how far apart should kids be. Just go read her post and look at all the responses!

Our large and awesome family at F's Christening!

xoxo

Friday, September 21, 2012

Things I Need Volume: 1

Happy Friday!

I am ridiculously excited about the YMCA Kids Consignment sale tonight. I volunteered last night just so I could go early...that is massively dorky, yes?

Its just that a normal long sleeve Polo for F is $39 and at the Y sale it is $5. I have been taking pictures in my spare time (I try to do photography as a side job) and all the money I have earned is going to clothes for my boys! Good mom right?!
$5 at the YMCA Kids Consignment Sale

But here are the things that I want need. Yes, these following items are NOT optional and they must be ordered before October 10th. Hear that M? NEED = Necessity = Happy Mama.


I desperately want some skinny black ankle pants to wear with flats and my stash of cute sweaters. Where can I buy some cute ones?!


Nest Candle in Pumpkin Chai. My favorite Nest candle is the Bamboo but I would love this for Fall! $32 at Neimans

Due to an older dog we have had to throw away our seagrass rug in the mudroom. I'm saving up to order the Diamond Khaki from Dash and Albert, this way if there are accidents we can hose him off! 4' x 6' $138 and free shipping from Layla Grace. I would love to do the blue tattersall but M won't go for it!

Tory Burch Patent Leather Eddie Bow Flats. I only have one pair of TB's. (The HORROR, The HORROR!) This pair would look great with any colored jean, ankle pant, sweater dress...etc. At $225 not sure M is going to go for these. That is pretty much my budget for the kids consignment sales. Hmmm, naked kids and Tory's or well-dressed kids and a mom in tennis shoes.....

Now that its pale season I need to brighten up my face. All my girlfriends swear by this and since my eyeshadow is drugstore I think I should splurge! Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick $40


This silly Fall Sign for my Front door. I LOVE Fall and love decorating the crap out of my house. Having kids has totally fueled that fire so I need more! Burlap door sign $39 at Pikes Nursery but Pineapples and Pickles posted a DIY here.


Both Natalie, my friend Abbie and Gwyneth swear by doing DVD's at home. I'm starting to think this might be the only way for me to get a workout in. If I go in the am the dogs will bark and wake up F. I can't go at night b/c I typically have work until 8. I don't want to pay so Tracy if you want me to test these out I will! Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis DVD set $99

With Christmas approaching my OCD already has me thinking of our Christmas Card photo. How awesome is this return address? Between the holidays and thank you letters I need to be writing this is a definite must. Custom Rubber Return address Stamp from Etsy $40ish


What are you ladies needing and wanting? I will probably make this a weekly list seeing as how I want EVERYTHING! 

xoxo

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Hair...Length and Color Decisions

If you are a facebook friend of mine you know that I posted the picture above last night and got 20 replies...19 yes you should definitely do this, and 1 Heck no.

What do y'all think? I am pale, have blue eyes and a few freckles. I personally think my hair looks best when it is highlighted but that is probably b/c I only highlight it in the summer and I have some color to my skin. Here are a few snapshots of my hair over the years....

Lighter Hair..best hair day of my life in the bottom left picture if I do say so myself.

Darker hair. Bottom right is WAY too dark.

Here are a few inspiration pictures! Doesn't it always seem with hair that you want what you can't have? Whenever I want to chop my hair short I typically regret it immediately and wish I had long hair again. But after sweating off my makeup while drying my hair I'm tempted to chop it too!


Perfect shade right??

This might be too red but she is so precious! M informed me that if I do go red I better wear more makeup.

Probably the closest to my natural hair color..maybe I'm a tad lighter


LOVE

A little too dark for me I think

How do you feel about Emma as a blonde?


Or should I just go back to my Fall/Winter brown wash in?

What has been your personal favorite hairstyle over the years? I did love my short hair for France, in the collage wearing the striped top. I think the water over in Provence just gives you good bangs..that would never work in the South!


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Halloween Decor.....for Bon Temps, LA

Dear World Market,

All I can think of when I see these: 


Is this man....
Crazy Lafayette on True Blood. 

Do you watch True Blood? Lafayette and Pam are my favorite characters.



Friday, September 14, 2012

Sometimes I do Shower....

In my post the other day I admitted that I don't always get "dressed". Well, you will be proud to know that I met my sweet friend Katie for dinner this week and showered!

Here is my cheap grown-up-trying-to-be-fashionable outfit..........

I'm posing drinking bourbon b/c I can't do the looking off into the distance thing without going all Zoolander on you.
I'm stylish right? Peplum, check. Skinny jeans, check. Leopard flats, check. 

Watch out Vogue. HAHAHAHA

xoxo

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Oscar de la Renta KIDS!


STOP what you are doing and watch this video from George and Ruby...how cute are these little charasmatic kids? (And adorable clothes too!) I think F needs a few ODLR pieces!

http://www.georgeandruby.com/oscar-childrenswear-live-today-at-noon/






I would wear this!!!!


Watch the whole video! Even if these clothes aren't your thing the kids are priceless!

All images via George and Ruby