Must-Haves for Transitions

Well, I swore I was going to begin posting as close to daily as I could once September rolled around, barring any special kinds of days, or if our routine gets thrown a loop. & then, I am not kidding you, my first four days of September brought a whirlwind each day.

Long stories short,

I got into a (very, very minor) fender bender (thank God for bumpers!) on Thursday;

found out some bad news about a friend's teenaged son on Friday;

locked myself & Pretty Little Bare Feet out of our vehicle for most of Saturday afternoon;

& then had to take over My Prince's fantasy football draft last night because he was sick (& I must add that he got awarded the "best draft" from Yahoo! sports, thanks to his awesome wife! ;)).

So here it is, Labor Day, a day off for most people, & I'm tackling some of those annoying to-do lists. One of the more fun items, though, is "to blog," so here I am!

I've been thinking about what to add to my wardrobe in the next few days. There are two major transitions going on that have impacted my ability to wear much of my favorite clothing.

1. I am still in between all that awful maternity clothing & my normal clothing size.

I have no doubt that I will get back into all of my beloved clothing, but realistically, it is probably going to be a couple months or so before things fit the way they should, even as the scale drops. But I don't want to buy a lot of things that are a couple sizes up, because I don't want to waste money. I also don't want to get too comfortable in a larger size, thus losing any motivation to return to my size. So the best investments would be those that will still look nice when I return to my normal size, such as things that are a bit flowy&loose in fit.

2. The weather.

Summer outfits & the traditional pre-Labor Day rules are out; & the fall season of clothing is in. But the weather isn't quite there yet, since it's still pretty warm&muggy most days in Dixie.

So here are some things I've been eyeing for my daily back&forths during these transitions:

the Watch Hill Tunic by Port Winsor

Tunics certainly fit all of the above-mentioned requirements, & the ones offered by this preppy new company are beautiful!

Pintuck Cascade Shirt in Makeup at Talbots

Loose enough to be comfortable now, but fitted enough that it won't be frumpy when I'm ten pounds lighter.

Cashmere Isabel Sweatshirt in Navy at J. Crew

Perfect for cooler evenings now & later...& loose enough to layer over most anything. This could be the perfect thing to have on hand for things like evening book clubs at home, rainy-weather tailgates, etc. When it's appropriate to be comfortable, but still presentable.

Pia Skirt in Oatmeal by Velvet by Graham&Spencer at Piperlime

This foldover waistband is exactly the kind that I'm leaning on in most of my lounging pants right now, as there are really only two pairs of my jeans that are fitting comfortably just yet. How lovely to see this kind of comfort on such a cute skirt that can be dressed up or down. & its style is perfect for this in-between season!

Vivi Top in Cameo White Thrill of the Chaise by Lilly Pulitzer

The most perfect Lilly option for me for right now! & I have been dying to get some new Lilly clothing pretty much since last fall when I found out I was pregnant again. Here's to hoping my Lilly Via shop still has some of these!

To-Do's or Not-to-Do's...Sometimes It's a Question

Pretty Little Bare Feet has officially been back at nursery school for almost three weeks now. & next week she's going to begin attending four days per week! Aaa, I know! But she is so excited. She's one of the "big kids" in her Montessori classroom, & she really is just at her absolute best after a morning of school.

I can't bear to part with her for all five days, but I realized just a couple weeks into the school year that she will be happier attending a fourth day of school, rather than remaining in a playgroup that meets inconsistently. & I will be happier to have a more stable routine, as well. Not to mention that both of us thrive better in a calm, ordered environment - much more so the case in the Montessori classroom

(or in my peaceful, hopefully-organized-again-soon home)

than in some random location for a hodgepodge group of playgroup members that are disciplined so differently (if at all) that some of their behaviors can negatively influence Pretty Little Bare Feet's own attitude for the rest of the day afterward.

So now that Pretty Little Bare Feet has her routine back in place & better than ever, it's (past) time for me to (attempt to) do the same.

My Little Man is pretty much sleeping through the night. & although his naps are inconsistent&sporadic during the day, he's such a chill little baby. Even when he has long periods of wakefulness, he coos more than he cries. He's just an angelic little blessing of an addition to our already-too-blessed-to-be-stressed home.

Which leads me to the dreaded question of to-do lists. Quite frankly, these days I am finding it much more beneficial to my overall health to just crumple them up & throw them away.

(This is coming from a self-professed Type A listmaker of neurotic proportions!)

Although I am not exactly ready to give up all of my neat organizational ways, I am finding that adding another member to this family has ultimately required the same amount of "relaxing" that I initially found myself doing once upon a time when getting married...& then twice upon a time upon being blessed with Pretty Little Bare Feet.

So what are the priority to-do lists that I am aiming to keep to in the next few weeks?

1. Getting back into my blogging groove.

I just plain old miss my little bloggy network of fellow

bakers,

lawyers,

Lilly lovers,

mamas,

party planners,

preppies,

shopaholics,

Southerners,

etc.

I started my blog well after my first child was into an established napping routine, & I really became involved with it once she was also into a nursery school routine. So the whole cycle of

pregnancy,

then delivery,

then post-delivery,

now newborn,

etc...

...has thrown me into a whirlwind that hasn't left much energy or time for blogging, or even reading blogs.

(Not that I feel a bit guilty for that - just miss the blogs, & y'all!; & look forward to rekindling my own!)

2. Getting back into my runner's routine.

Okay, yes, & my runner's body. ;)

I'm on my way, running four or five miles every day. I've also invested in a boot camp DVD because it did take some extra additions to my old faithful running routine, in order to slim back down after having Pretty Little Bare Feet back in 2009. However, after pulling up iPhoto...

(& actually confirming that My Prince wasn't just trying to flatter me with his seemingly far-fetched compliments)

...I did realize that I am already back into much better shape than I was at this point after having my first child. & I got back into a size zero

(which I must reiterate is healthy for me - I am only 5'1!)

within three or four months after having Pretty Little Bare Feet, so I know I can do it again!

I'd also like to get to where I can schedule a 5k, & maybe eventually a 10k, at least once a month. That's just because I am so married to treadmill-running that I forget how different it is to run pavement or trails. Then when I sign up for a 5k, thinking it'll be cake because I can easily run six or seven miles if I have the time to do it...I all but die out there on the real ground, having to breathe the "real" air.

(Of course, I maintain that it is also just as jarring not to have my creature comforts - like my iPod playlists, & whatever magazine I have opened in front of me that has pretty enough pictures that it won't matter if I'm running too fast to read the words.)

3. ...

Oh, well, I paused for a minute trying to come up with what should be next on this list.

& since I'm already off to such a good start on the second item on this list...

...& this very blog post counts as such a good start to crossing off the first item on this list...

...I'm just going to call myself successful! =)

Oh, I am just so looking forward to finding out what all of y'all have been up to!

Pink&Green Thursday: It Was a Watermelon Wednesday!

So apparently August 3rd is National Watermelon Day. Who knew? A while back when I ordered a few party goods from Oriental Trading for Pretty Little Bare Feet's 2nd Birthday party, I received a 2011 wall calendar with my order. Now of course it's not as pretty to look at as the Lilly wall calendar, but I enjoy it for a completely different reason - it includes all these random little fun holidays that I'd never know about otherwise!

So even though Wednesday has come&gone, I say continue celebrating the summer fun that is watermelons. I refuse to cave to all of this back-to-school madness...

(though I do love a good tax-free weekend!)

...as it is still way too stinkin' hot&humid to be shopping for jeans&sweaters. Pretty Little Bare Feet has been on her own little watermelon kick all summer long, & I am inspired to join her in her sweet fun!

(via: Sugar&Charm)

watermelon mojito pops

Yesterday I picked up some (more) watermelon & fresh mint, fully intending to mix these delicious goodies up last night for My Prince & me. 'Til I realized they have to chill overnight, so then I figured they'd be a happy hour treat for us today. Only I can't find popsicle molds anywhere! So they may end up being a day late...

...& uh, just watermelon mojitos w/out the pops!

(But there's still plenty of fun in that!)

(via: Just Married & Cooking)

watermelon margs

I also think these look fantastic & worth a try. I've been craving a mango margarita from Chili's since I was in about week 34 of my pregnancy, & I haven't gotten one yet...

...so maybe I'll do some more at-home bartending with this watermelon I have, & see if I can satiate that fruity margarita thirst that's been nagging at me!

Watermelon Stripe Sundress by Hartstrings

I love, love, love pretty much anything Hartstrings, & I am especially grateful for them now that I have a boy - which makes it so much more of a challenge to find cute little clothes! There is still plenty of hot summer weather around these parts, so I've hit the summer sale on the Hartstrings website a couple times already, & will probably be back at it again!

(Especially with cute stuff like this on major sale!)

Watermelon Quilted Backpack by Stephen Joseph

Is Stephen Joseph all the rage in the halls of your kid's nursery school? It definitely is in ours! & in the lobby of the gym where we take her for gymnastics...

...& pretty much anyplace around here where cute little mamas bring their cute little tots!

Pretty Little Bare Feet has the cupcake quilted backpack (monogrammed, natch!) & the owl lunchbox (just a name label sticker on that one). & when she was a little baby, we loved her ladybug bib&burpcloth by Stephen Joseph.

I haven't seen this watermelon backpack in person, but came across it on the website, & now it might be on the list to replace the cupcake backpack once that one is completely worn out.

(& it's well on its way there...toddlers are pretty rough on their bags! LOL)

Laceless Watermelon Sneaker by Keds at Urban Outfitters

Although all the little watermelon-wear out there for kids is so sweet, it's not impossible to cutely incorporate watermelons into our own wardrobes. I think these little sneakers would be so fun to pair up with basic polo&shorts combinations, especially for a hot summer day outdoors!

Hmmm...

...now I see that today is Champagne Day...;)

What I Want This Weekend, July 22nd, 2011

So here are some pretty things I've come across this week,

from some blog

or catalog

or friend

or magazine

or another;

or just from my own browsing&shopping&surfing,

that I need to convince My Prince to dole out the cash for...

Gloworm Throw Pillow by Suzy Ultman at Land of Nod

I'd buy this pillow for Pretty Little Bare Feet's bed...

...but I wouldn't necessarily object to it getting left in our living room either. ;)

Maria Legging in Starless by J Brand Jeans

How do y'all feel about high-rise jeans? I love skinny jeans for fall because they are great with boots&sweaters. But I haven't really tried high-rise cuts.

Just a couple more weeks to go before I can start running again, & thus allow myself to check the scale again. I was able to lose the baby weight after having Pretty Little Bare Feet, most within two or three months, all within five months...

...Anyway, I have a couple pairs of J Brand jeans, & they are some of my favorites, but I have completely worn out one pair (the shoreman sailor jeans) because they button in a way that allowed me to wear them when I was in that transition period between my normal size & maternity clothes (during both pregnancies!). So I think a new pair of J Brand jeans will be a nice reward for myself after I get back to getting in shape this fall.

Faustina Top in Scarlet by Nanette Lepore at Revolve Clothing

Love everything about this top.

The color,

the drapey fit,

the embroidery.

& Nanette Lepore is one of my favorite designers, especially for tops. They always fit comfortably & look nice.

Bowen Dress in Perfect Afternoon by Lilly Pulitzer

I think this is my favorite dress that I didn't get to buy/wear this summer of being pregnant/postpartum. I think I'll keep an eye out for it to go on sale someplace...

Nice Stems! Collection by OPI

While my toenails are freshly painted...

(Pretty Little Bare Feet's, too! - we had a spa date last weekend!)

...lately I haven't been able to visit my friends at the local salon that I get all of my (current) OPI nail lacquers from. I just love this summer's little mini-collection, though, especially I Lily Love You (light pink sparkle) & Come to Poppy (shimmering coral-pink).

T.G.I.F.! What do YOU want this weekend?

He's Here!

Well, it's been over a month since I last blogged...but most of you know what a good excuse I had for my absence...

My Little Man!

My Little Man arrived on June 22nd. He's two weeks old today! Pretty Little Bare Feet couldn't be more thrilled to be a Big Sister. My Prince had to go back to work yesterday, but my sweet mama is still here helping out. In fact, she just left to take Pretty Little Bare Feet shopping (again), which is why My Little Man & I are able to take a second to update y'all on what's been going on around the Screen Door.

I'm sure blogging will be sporadic for another month or two. A big thank you to all of y'all for bearing with me & being patient while I've neglected the blog this summer, to focus on the most important things! Once Pretty Little Bare Feet gets back to her little Montessori nursery school routine, I'm sure I'll be itching to get back to my "blogging while the baby naps" routine. In fact, I obviously need a new header (since My Little Man isn't in my current one!), & I'm envisioning a whole overhaul in design around here...soon enough. For now, I'm thinking it's time for a quick nap. ;)

(Yep, that's really My Prince & My Little Man in that photo. Isn't my sweet stepsister ohsotalented?)

Preferred Catalogs: Hanna Andersson

I ordered several of Pretty Little Bare Feet's fall wardrobe staples (hair accessories, turtlenecks, etc.) from Hanna Andersson, & I couldn't have been more pleased with the customer service or the quality of the items.

& although Pretty Little Bare Feet seems to have a plethora of little sundresses to choose from...the warmer the weather the gets, the more apparent it is becoming that we are still missing a few summer staples for her wardrobe.

Fortunately, the latest Hanna Andersson catalog does not disappoint!

Reversible Headband in Story Pink/Water Leaf

Summer Color Scooter Skirt in Treasure Pink/Pottery Orange

Favorite Things Tank in Citron

Cropped Sweats in Bright Coral Bloom/White

& of course now I get to look at *baby boy* things, too!...

Little Tanker in Seed Green

(all available at Hanna Andersson)

What I Want This Weekend, May 13th, 2011

Here are some pretty things I've come across this week,

from some blog

or catalog

or friend

or magazine

or another;

or just from my own browsing&shopping&surfing,

that I need to convince My Prince to dole out the cash for...

Ugly Charlie by Uglydoll

Little Ugly Groody by Uglydoll

Do any of y'all mamas have any Uglydolls for your little ones?

Little Ugly Flatwoodsey by Uglydoll

Pretty Little Bare Feet received the one above from one of her favorite little nursery school classmates for her birthday this year. She absolutely adores the silly thing, & I have to admit that it has kind of grown on me.

After speaking to friends with toddlers, who have recently added newborns to their families, My Prince & I have been trying to ready ourselves for the big transition that Pretty Little Bare Feet is going to be making soon as she becomes a big sister. One idea that has been floated around is the idea of letting the older child pick out a special gift to give to the new baby.

I had already been thinking that maybe since Pretty Little Bare Feet only has one of the "Little Uglys," she might be excited about acquiring a new, bigger Classic Uglydoll for herself. I've been putting together a little "bag of fun" for our trip to the hospital, full of little surprises to be pulled out in instances of waiting room boredom, or just to distract from all of the unfamiliar disruptions to Pretty Little Bare Feet's little toddler world.

Then it occurred to me that maybe I could

take away the "surprise" element of this particular little gift,

allow Pretty Little Bare Feet to pick out her own new Uglydoll,

& also let her pick out a new Little Ugly to give to her baby brother.

Then we could sort of make the "bigger" Uglydoll a "big sibling" to the new Little Ugly...

Insulated Cooler in Floaters by Lilly Pulitzer at Swoozie's

I have been longing for Lilly throughout this entire pregnancy, pretty much from the moment I no longer felt comfortable in my favorite Lilly dresses&polos. Although I am still able to wear some of my Lilly pajamas, I've been having to make do with shopping for Lilly stationery & that sort of thing.

(& of course the occasional Minnie item for Pretty Little Bare Feet.)

Anyway, just a few more months (assuming, of course, I work my tail off to lose the baby weight as quickly as I did before...& that is what I intend!) before I can dress myself in my normal wardrobe again - & add to it!

Until that time, though, the #1 item on my summer Lilly must-have list is this cooler. I intend to spend some time at both our country club & neighborhood pools with Pretty Little Bare Feet, who can pretty safely splash around in the "kiddie pools" under my watchful eye, while I keep my other watchful eye on a newborn. Therefore, it will be necessary to ensure we are properly equipped with the perfect

beach bag,

beach towels,

cooler,

magazines,

water bottles,

etc.

I also already have the perfect Lilly caftan to cover my postpartum mama bod, & I just received a big, floppy hat in a delightful bright coral as a gift that will also be well-loved this summer.

Toddler Girls' Swimsuit in Red by Calypso St. Barth for Target

Pretty Little Bare Feet has thus far only snagged this one new bathing suit for herself, but now that most everybody has gotten their summer lines out, I'm sure it'll be no time before we add a few more to her current swimwear rotation.

Enamel Horse Bit Bangle in Green by Fornash

Love Fornash. Pretty much everything. & I would love to add to my Fornash bangle&bracelet collection with one of these with the new horse bit detail. Sooo classically chic!

Eli Open Shoulder Top by Dallin Chase at Shopbop

I know, we've already covered the annoying fact that I can't yet wear my normal-sized clothing, & it would just be silly to get this & stare at it for months, waiting until I can wear it. But I've always had a thing for open shoulder tops, & I can't get this one out of my head!

Gemma Long Dress by Karen Zambos Vintage Couture at Shopbop

...& while backtracking to find that fabulous top to share with y'all, I happened upon this fantastic dress - my favorite maxi dress I've seen this year! & I wore a non-maternity maxi dress by Gypsy 05 just tonight...so this actually feels within the realm of not-too-far-off possibility! ;)

T.G.I.F.! What do YOU want this weekend?